Screven County commissioners adopt redistricting plan amid concerns about minority representation
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Summary
The Screven County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 5, 2022 to approve a reapportionment map and adopt a resolution approving the county’s redistricting plan. Opponents raised concerns that the draft would reduce the number of predominately minority districts; the Reapportionment Office cited a decline in minority population.
The Screven County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 5, 2022 to adopt a resolution approving a draft redistricting map prepared by the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office.
County Attorney Hubert Reeves recommended the board approve the draft Screven CC/SB Proposal map prepared by the reapportionment office, and Commissioner Triplett moved to approve the maps "as is" and adopt the resolution. Commissioner Mike Dixon seconded the motion; Commissioners Triplett, Dixon, Rosa Romeo, Chairman Will Boyd and Vice-Chairman J.C. Warren voted in favor. Commissioner Allison Willis voted no, and Commissioner Edwin Lovett abstained. The board approved the resolution; a copy will be recorded in the minutes.
Why it matters: several commissioners and attendees raised concerns that the draft map would reduce the number of predominately minority districts in the county. Commissioner Allison Willis voiced concern about the direction of the new district lines and "the fact that there would not be as many predominately minority districts." Commissioner Edwin Lovett said he "would like to see three (3) predominately minority districts" but acknowledged uncertainty about whether that was possible given changes in the population.
Brian Knight, speaking by phone for the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office, told the board there had been "a decline of minority population" in the county and offered to work with the board if it wanted to explore moving the lines in different areas. Registrar Dorothy Glisson cautioned that "population does not necessarily mean voters because not all of the individuals counted are registered to vote," distinguishing total population counts used for apportionment from the subset of registered voters.
The resolution approving the redistricting plan was adopted during the called meeting at the Screven County Courthouse. Chairman Will Boyd then adjourned the meeting.
The official resolution and map are recorded in the county minute book per the meeting record; the transcript notes the resolution pages as "to be entered" in the minutes.