The Madison County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. in the boardroom at 125 West North Street in Canton to discuss the redistricting of the county.
Every10 years, a census is conducted and district lines are redrawn based on the population changes throughout the county. In the 2020 census, Madison County grew in population and necessitated the redrawing of the boundaries. Redistricting ensures that citizens have the opportunity to elect a representative that reflects their current district.
“(The new districts go into effect) immediately upon adoption by the board of a new plan,” Tommie Cardin, a Butler Snow attorney advising the county said. “Keep in mind they will be in effect for the next round of elections, which is going to be 2023. When the board adopts the redistricting plan, it will make it effective beginning the new round of elections.”
Cardin said the public hearing will consist of a general presentation of the existing districts and the census data pertaining to the redistricting. They will also present the redistricting guidelines that the board of supervisors adopted and their proposed draft plan for redrawing the district boundaries.
The redistricting guidelines adopted in October are as follows:
1. The difference in population between the least populous and the most populous districts shall not exceed Ten Percent (10%) for the ideal population for all districts, according to figures available from the most recent decennial census.
2. Such districting plan shall be established in a manner that ensures the fair and effective representation of the racial minority group(s) in Madison County which are protected by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.
3. District lines shall keep intact communities with established ties of common interest and association, whether historical, racial, economic, ethnic, religious or other.
4. Each district shall be contiguous.
5. Each district shall be as compact as possible.
6. Each district shall follow natural geographical boundaries, where possible.
7. Incumbent supervisors shall be separated into individual districts to the extent practicable, but only if such action does not affect adherence to the primary criteria.
8. In order to minimize voter confusion, proposed redistricting plan(s) shall be established in a manner that ensures minimal necessary change to boundaries presently established and to minimize split precincts.
The purpose of the public hearing is to hear from the members of the public about anything they want to share about the redistricting process or the redrawing of the district boundaries, Cardin said. Therefore, after the presentation, anyone who signs up and wishes to make any type of comment will be given the opportunity during the hearing. Attendees will be allowed to sign up to speak upon their arrival at the meeting.
“It is designed to hear from members of the public about what is on their mind,” Cardin said. “I think (it will be a success) if everybody who is interested in making a comment or submitting something in writing is allowed to do so. We fully intend for that to happen.”
