City Council Launches Redistricting Plan Amid Population Growth

In a recent work session, the Prattville City Council convened to discuss the critical process of redistricting following the 2020 U.S. Census, which revealed a population increase in the city. City Planner Scott Stevens and City Attorney Andrew Odom introduced consultant Nathan Willingham from Slaughter and Willingham Associates, who is assisting in the redistricting efforts.

The meeting highlighted the necessity for redistricting due to significant population disparities among the city’s seven council districts. According to the latest census data, District 3 has 7,964 residents, while District 2 has only 4,385, resulting in a variance of 82%. The ideal population per district is 5,397, but all districts, except one, fall outside the acceptable range of plus or minus 5%. This uneven growth necessitates a reevaluation of district boundaries to ensure fair representation, adhering to the principle of \"one person, one vote.\"

Willingham presented a benchmark plan that incorporates the new census numbers and aims to address these disparities. The council is currently reviewing \"Plan 2,\" which is still in the discussion phase, with no decisions made yet. The timeline for the redistricting process was also outlined, indicating that the council aims to finalize the new district maps by May 2025, ahead of the next election scheduled for August 2025.

Council members expressed the importance of timely completion of the redistricting process to allow candidates to understand their new districts and prepare for upcoming elections. The council has engaged in public hearings and received input from residents, which has been integrated into the planning process.

As the council continues to refine the redistricting plans, they remain committed to ensuring that the new boundaries reflect the population changes and provide equitable representation for all residents of Prattville.