Walker County court votes to seek outside counsel amid congressional redistricting
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Summary
Walker County elections staff briefed the court on new state congressional maps that will split the county between districts 10 and 8. Commissioners approved a motion to seek outside legal counsel to advise on precinct, polling‑place and commissioner‑line changes while expressing concern about potential costs if litigation alters maps again.
Walker County elections staff on Nov. 17 presented proposed local boundary adjustments after the state’s new congressional map moved the county’s split from districts 17 and 8 to districts 10 and 8.
"We're coming to introduce the state map and how it affects Walker County and our recommended thoughts about moving forward as we request to seek outside counsel," said Diana, elections staff, explaining the county must update voting boxes, precinct boundaries and notify voters before the primary filing period. She said six voting boxes would be affected and that the county could be required to create up to two additional polling places if new voting boxes are added.
Commissioners pressed staff on timing and cost. "We spend $1,520,000 dollars to hire a lawyer now and get them all situated. Then they come back and say, oh, we're gonna change it again," said a commissioner, voicing concern about paying for counsel if the state map is altered by litigation.
Election staff said the state’s timetable and ongoing litigation mean counties should prepare as if the map is in effect, while outside counsel is needed to confirm commissioner‑line implications because local population data (not just voter registration) will be required to certify precinct and commissioner boundaries.
Commissioner Adam moved to seek legal counsel to implement recommended boundary changes and to advise on mass mailings of voter certificates required before the end of the year. The court voted in favor of the motion.
The court directed staff to engage counsel quickly and return with options, including recommended boundary moves and the potential impacts on polling locations. Commissioners asked that counsel present both options for adjusting polling‑place locations and for moving lines so the court can weigh cost and operational impacts.
Next steps: county staff will follow up with proposed contracts for outside counsel and return to the court with legal recommendations and mapped options for final action.