Kentucky House passes redistricting plan over GOP protests

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Democratic leaders in the House have won passage of a legislative redistricting plan that could strengthen their majority by forcing 11 Republicans to run against each other next year.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 53-46 along party lines on Wednesday to pass the measure, which now moves to the GOP-led Senate where it faces an uncertain future.

The Senate has opted to wait until next year to deal with its own redistricting plan. Moving ahead with the House's version this year would remove a political bargaining chip.

Redistricting is supposed to occur every 10 years to account for population changes. Kentucky's overall population grew from 4 million to 4.3 million between 2000 and 2010, requiring a major reconfiguration of legislative districts.

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The legislation is House Bill 2.