Your Kansas City Council district may be changing for the April 4 election, following redistricting.

The big takeaway: The most dramatic shift is in the Northland. Districts 1 and 2 will switch from an east-west split along N. Oak Trafficway and N. Woodland Avenue to more of a north-south split along NW Barry Road and Interstate 152 — with District 1 to the north, and District 2 to the south.

Districts 3 and 4 will remain relatively similar to how they were before. District 4 will extend north to the Gladstone border at NE Englewood Road and east to N. Antioch Road in the Northland. In the Northeast, District 4 will extend slightly farther south of Independence Avenue, down past Truman Road in one part. District 3 will extend south of Blue Parkway to 56th Street in one part.

District 5 is growing in size and now extends south to include the entire section of the city south of Interstate 470 down to E. 155th Street, bordered by Grandview and Lee’s Summit. District 6 will gain the area surrounding the Country Club Plaza and the West Plaza neighborhood.

For comparison, here’s a look at the old map.

And here’s a look at the new map that will be used for the April 4 election. It says effective August 1, because that is when the new council members will be sworn into office.

Wait, there’s an election on April 4?

Yes. It’s a municipal primary election for city council members, the mayor and a handful of city and county initiatives. Residents of particular school districts will also have the opportunity to weigh in on the leaders of those districts.

Here’s a sample ballot for the election. The specific races listed on your ballot will vary based on where you live. You will be voting on all of the at-large city council members as well as the member representing your new district.

That means that if you’re currently located in District 1 but soon to be located in District 2, you will be voting for the District 2 council seat as well as all of the at-large seats.

The deadline to register to vote in April’s election is Wednesday, March 8.

No-excuse in-person absentee voting begins on Tuesday, March 21.

How do I know what district I am now voting in?

One way to find your new city council district is to enter your information in Missouri’s voter registration lookup portal. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security Number and your county.

In the portal, click “View My Districts” and scroll down to the third entry under County Districts to view your new city council district.

If you still aren’t sure which district you now reside in, you can call the Kansas City Election Board, an employee told The Star. The board can be reached at 816-842-4820.

While the agency is working on a list of which wards and precincts fall within which new city council districts, this resource is not yet available.

To check your voter information and find your polling place, enter your last name and date of birth on the election board’s Check Voter Status page. This page will also provide a sample ballot, which will list your city council candidates based on the new district you are voting in.

Do you have more questions about April’s election? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.

This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 1:15 PM.

Natalie Wallington

The Kansas City Star

Natalie Wallington was a reporter on The Star’s service journalism team with a focus on policy, labor, sustainability and local utilities from fall 2021 until early 2025. Her coverage of the region’s recycling system won a 2024 Feature Writing award from the Kansas Press Association.