As West Virginia moves to change the way it has historically divided the state for congressional representation, the West Virginia University professor who wrote the book on the subject is available to speak on the issue.

West Virginia has historically divided its three congressional districts along county lines, but the state Senate’s redistricting taskforce chairman Senate Majority Leader John Unger believes that the state could be at risk for a lawsuit if it does not change in order to conform with the 2010 Census results.

WVU professor Kenneth Martis wrote a book that deals with the history of the country’s congressional districts entitled the “Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts: 1789-1989.” He has also written historical atlases surrounding state power and political parties in Congress.

Martis, a professor of geography, teaches courses in physical and political geography, and his research is concerned with the geographical aspects of the American political culture and the geographical dimensions of legislative and parliamentary institutions.

To contact Martis, call 304-293-9662 or e-mail ken.martis@mail.wvu.edu

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