GOVERNMENT

What Redistricting Means for Jarrell

As 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 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.

THE 2020 U.S. CENSUS SHOWED THE COUNTY’S POPULATION TO BE 609,017. THE REQUIREMENT FOR REDISTRICTING IS TO ALLOCATE 25 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IN EACH OF THE COUNTY’S FOUR PRECINCTS WITH THE SAME "IDEAL" TARGET OF 152,254, PLUS OR MINUS 5 PERCENT (7,613 PEOPLE).

KEY TAKEAWAY

Changes in Williamson County start with the U.S. Congress. While, previously, the county was wholly within Congressional District 31, it is now divided—in different measures—among four members of Congress. This means Williamson County will have four voices on the Hill rather than one. As well, having 100 percent of Texas House District 20 will allow Representative Wilson to prioritize Williamson County concerns at the State level.

Armbruster said, “Our current representatives are doing a great job at the Capitol, but if our residents can get two Senators and four Congressmen all working on the same issues for Central Texas, it will be easier for them to get concerns addressed and problems solved.”

FOR 76537 RESIDENTS

As of January 1, 2022, all residences of Jarrell and Sonterra (except for a small section including Spears Ranch Road and rural areas northwest) are in County Precinct 4 and subject to those elected officials. As well, voter ballots for 2022 primary and general elections will be created for Precinct 4 offices. Armbruster added, "Nothing has changed with regard to where people vote. All voters still have the opportunity to vote at any polling place in the county. For judicial matters, citizens will pay motor vehicle tickets in the precinct where they are issued or filed, and drivers should ask officers for that location. Evictions and other Justice of the Peace matters are adjudicated according to residence only."

While the process and changes may seem overwhelming, residents need not be concerned about researching new information. All registered voters will receive notification in the mail from the Williamson County Elections Department regarding changes in their voter and county precincts. Armbruster explained, “Everyone will receive a new voter registration card in the mail. I encourage everyone to pay close attention for new information; which are your representatives in Congress, Commissioners, etc., and drilling down to Voter Precinct Representative.”

PRECINCT 4 LEADERSHIP

Commissioner Russ Boles 3001 Joe DiMaggio Blvd, Unit 1300 • Round Rock (512) 943-3761 • russ.boles@wilco.org Justice of the Peace Stacey Hackenberg 211 W 6th St. • Taylor • (512) 352-4155 Constable Paul Leal 412 Vance Street, Suite 3 • Taylor Taylor: (512) 352-4181 • Metro: (512) 238-2181

Commissioner Russ Boles

Commissioner Boles has a background in economic development and is looking forward to working with regular partners like the Brazos River Authority to facilitate infrastructure and water options for Jarrell. "It's about more than water," he said. "I want to make sure communities like Jarrell have water for growth and fireflow for safety, which will bring new business. There is no quality of life without a job, so I will be looking to see what kinds of economic opportunities are available for Jarrell to produce local jobs. I want people to live and work in Jarrell and any time I have an opportunity to facilitate that, I believe it is key to do so."

Commissioner Boles also places great priority on kids and education. "Safety is very important to me. With growth we must have safe neighborhoods and since taking office, I've worked to increase the Sheriff's budget by $10 million and added 15 officers. I am against radical defunding and am constantly working to make sure every department has the right resources. As well, I believe the backbone of every great district is its ISD and I will work to make sure Jarrell's is and remains strong."

He added, "Precinct 4 is now very large and consists of many communities. In terms of constituent services, while each Justice of the Peace manages his or her own office, if JP4 should request it, I will find the money to facilitate a satellite JP court and office to provide services locally one day per week."