V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Marion County Commissioners selected two redistricting proposals to hold public review on today, Friday, November 12.
According to Eric McGee of Allison, Bass & Magee, L.L.P., the law firm selected to assist the county on redistricting, the county saw a 10.07% change in population following the 2020 US Census, thus requiring the county to redistrict.
According to the Census, the county now has a population of 9,725. To create the “ideal” population distribution among precincts, each precinct would need to have a population of approximately 2,431. Precinct 1 saw the largest growth in population or 6.29%; Precinct 2 saw a -1.32% change; Precinct 3 saw the largest loss in population of -3.38%; and Precinct 4 saw a -1.15% change.
To try and meet the “ideal” population distribution, McGee indicated that Precinct 1 would need to shrink some and the other Precincts increase slightly. McGee also told Commissioners they would want to try and maintain the minority precinct status if at all possible.
Both proposals being considered redraw the precincts inside the city limits by increasing Precinct 3 primarily on the Western side of US 59. This removes the area from Precinct 2.
The proposals differ on where Precinct 1 is changed.
Proposal 1 moves the Bullfrog Marina area from Precinct 1 to Precinct 2.
Proposal 2 moves an area north of the powerline between FM 1969 and Victory School Road into Precinct 2.
Proposal 2 was suggested by Commissioners Charlie Treadwell and Jacob Pattison, as it meets the population needed without significantly adding to Pattison’s road mileage.
Justice of the Peace and Constable precincts will continue to mirror their associated Commissioner Precincts.
Both proposals are up for public comment starting at 8:30 a.m. today, Friday, November 12. Commissioners are expected to adopt Proposal 2 during a special meeting starting at 9 a.m. today.
Some confusion, introduced by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott, led to counties across the state having to scramble to get their redistricting approved by November 13, instead of November 29 as promoted by the governor.