Judge sets May 29 deadline for redistricting

? Parties in a federal lawsuit filed over the Kansas Legislature’s failure to redraw the state’s political boundaries have until May 29 to submit their own proposals to the court.

Chief U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil set the deadline Thursday. Vratil also scheduled a hearing in the case for the same day, saying it will continue to May 30 if necessary.

The lawsuit was filed earlier this month by Robyn Renee Essex, a Republican precinct committee member from Olathe. The defendant is Secretary of State Kris Kobach, the state’s chief elections officer.

An impasse among Senate Republicans has prevented any proposal for redrawing political boundaries from winning legislative approval. Kobach asked Wednesday for the appointment of three federal judges to hear the lawsuit and impose new political boundaries for legislators.