Council: Move forward with Redistricting
That was how Bobby Bowers, director of the Office of Research and Statistics for the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, described the task of redistricting in the City of Greer when he addressed Greer City Council in a special called meeting May 31 at City Hall.
The city’s growth over the last decade – expanding to 25,515 residents according to the 2010 Census, has created an imbalance in the city’s six district populations and challenged “one person, one vote.” In Greer, Bowers said, a balance of 4,253 residents per district would be ideal although a three-to-four percent variance is acceptable. At least one minority district is required.
Only District 1 (3.0%) currently falls within the allotted variance, followed closely by District 4 with a 6% variance. The city’s other four districts are considerably out of balance, according to Bowers. District 6 currently has 4,160 more residents than the goal, he said.
Three district seats, the mayor’s office, and one Commissioner of Public Works post are scheduled for the general election ballot in November. Bowers cautioned that, because of the volume of redistricting requests being made to the Department of Justice, the City of Greer’s redistricting process would almost certainly not be completed before November, leaving council with a decision: proceed with the election using the current districts or request a delay of the elections until after redistricting.
Council members were unanimous in their desire to move forward with redistricting, voting 7-0 to begin the process of asking the Department of Justice to delay the city’s general election. Council will hear first reading on that ordinance at its regularly scheduled meeting on June 14. If the first redistricting request is accepted by the Department of Justice, the general election could be held as early as February of 2012, according to City Administrator Ed Driggers. Should the submission be denied, the election could be delayed by nine to twelve months.
Bowers also pointed out the locations of current council members’ residences and noted that redistricting could actually draw them out of their current districts. In such a case, a special election would be necessary to elect a new council member.
“You’ve only got two districts where council (members) live down in the district somewhere,” Bowers said. “It’s going to be a daunting task to keep all of you separated in your own districts and adhere to the Constitutional requirement of one person, one vote, protecting the minority requirements, and being contiguous.
Council agreed that public input is crucial and will plan public hearings to make redistricting an open process.