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Council told state requires redistricting of voting boards by June 30; staff to follow up
Summary
Council members were told the state legislature requires redistricting of voting boards by June 30. Council discussed keeping incumbents in the same district, the 10% population-equality rule and the potential need for a special meeting; no formal vote was taken.
The Westville Town Council was notified that the state legislature requires the town to redistrict its voting boards by June 30.
A council speaker said, "we've been notified that we have to redistrict our voting boards. The legislature in their wisdom, determined we have to have it done by the June 30." Council members discussed that Westville elects members at large but is divided into wards for redistricting, and staff member Doug was identified as the person who will follow up with the process.
Council members discussed keeping existing residents in their current districts and avoiding placing two incumbents in the same district. One council member said, "What I would suggest, what we did before, is keep everybody in the district. Don't put you 2 in the same district." Members noted population changes since the last redistricting (the transcript cited "Probably 2010") and that districts generally must be within about 10% of each other. Council members also raised concerns about costs, noting other communities pay thousands to complete redistricting work and the town does not have large funds to do the same.
Doug (staff) was asked to forward material and emails explaining the new criteria. Council members said they may need a special meeting to approve maps before the June 30 deadline; no formal vote or map was adopted at this meeting.
