TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Six years before it has to be done, state and federal officials are already talking about redistricting of congressional and legislative districts.

The new maps for political districts aren’t due in Kansas until 2022. But officials from the U.S. Census Bureau met with the state Legislature’s research department last week to discuss the process they’ll use. They also were getting familiar with data and computer software that will be used for redistricting.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the next census will be in 2020 and states have two years after that to draw new political maps.

Michael Ratcliff, an official with the census bureau, says the federal government wants to get geographic information and software to states as early as possible to help state officials begin planning.