GO VERNMENT
by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@myjarrell.com maps courtesy Wilco.org/elections
What Redistricting Means for Jarrell
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s the State approved its redistricting maps, Williamson County Commissioners Court was able to complete a new redistricting map for Justices of the Peace, Constables, and Commissioners precincts. Following state law, Counties are also required to review the new census data every ten years to ensure their populations are also evenly distributed. Precincts are drawn only according to civilian numbers, and do not take into account the number of registered voters in each. Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey explained the changes in precinct assignments and why parts of 76537 were moved from Precinct 3 to 4, “In the past decade, Williamson County’s growth (44%) has been predominately focused on the west side of the county. Precincts 2 and 3 were over the population target, while Precincts 1 and 4 needed more residents to make them as even as possible."
STATE MATTERS Williamson County Republican Party Chair Steve Armbruster said, “This process is always a very challenging time for the politicians. Normally, the census numbers are provided in the Spring and Commissioners have months 12
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to adjust to changes in population. This year, prior to the State vote, they had many data points but had to wait to see where the new State lines would be. With a lot of hard work, they were able to complete the work in just two weeks, and allowed a full week of public comment. At the end of the day, they met the deadline and the maps were done well.” County Judge Bill Gravell commented that public feedback was largely positive as well. “The public was encouraged to comment on the proposed map at Wilco. org; 102 people supported it, 24 opposed it, and 13 had questions. I am pleased to say, no elected officials were kidnapped or drawn out of their current precinct. I believe this process was incredibly fair, given the time constraints to complete the work.”
NEW BOUNDARIES Precinct lines at the county level may appear to be irregularly shaped. However, with an overlay of the four statewide maps, they are in close alignment with House, Senate, and Federal boundaries. All maps combine to ensure citizen counts are evenly distributed and in alignment with census blocks.
