Calhoun County, AL Calhoun County, AlabamaThe Calhoun County Commission held the first of two public hearings regarding the drawing of district lines. The hearing took place on the 3rd of August within the Commission Chambers. Alongside Commissioners, the Public County Administrator Mark Tyner, County Attorney Gloria Floyd, Probate Judge, Alice Martin, GIS Manger, Robert Scheitlin, and members of the County Board of Registrars were present.
The meeting began by Ms. Tyner explaining that this was only for redrawing of district lines. The meeting was then led by Mr. Scheitlin then explained in greater detail the federal requirements. The redrawing was based on the census numbers of 2020. Under federal law, a county has to take the entire number of people and divide equally between 5 districts. There could be as much as five percent deviation. A further federal requirement is that one district to be more than 50 percent of minority. In the case of Calhoun County district 1 is the area that is in compliance with this requirement.
Many people in the community were interested in understanding how the process worked, and were vocal about their views. Mr. R.E. Bradford was one of the participants in the redistricting process that was completed in 2003. He was irritated due to district one not having the same amount of land as district two and the others. He believed that since the district was a majority minorities, they were not afforded the same chance to expand and grow. He also said he would like an equal access right to parks and lakes like other districts. He also noted that minorities were increasing while white populations were declining, but the land mass doesn’t change to reflect the shift. The Mr. Scheitlin explained that the lines were drawn based on population numbers and not on the land mass. It is also necessary to be a minority district. that the City of Anniston is the most suitable district according to numbers. If there is a larger number of people in a particular area, then the area would be smaller. Bradford. Bradford did acknowledge he was aware, but he believed it was a fact that African Americans were not were included in Alabama politics. He also believed that the Attorney General Steve Marshall and Governor Kay Ivey had a motive to create regulations to limit minorities. Mr. Floyd did remind Mr. Bradford those were state decisions, and not taken on a county-level. He said that. Bradford went on to declare that the federal requirement for fair and equal voting, and it was not being fulfilled. He cited the issue of food and grocery deserts which forced some districts to leave their districts to search for what they need. He claimed it was “stacking packing, stowing and cracking.” The man. Bradford also asked why there weren’t any Blacks in the Board of the registrars. He was told that they are appointed positions, and they are appointed by the state.
Another person wanted to know if commissioners were in agreement with the new legislation. He was informed that although there is no formal vote, they have in favor of the proposal to move towards an open hearing. They also were interested in knowing what minority was defined by. He said that Mr. Scheitlin said it is defined by the federal definition and can comprise, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian, Hispanics, and those who matched as mixed race in the census. There are others in the minority grouping, however these are the most significant numbers in Calhoun County.
The Mr. Scheitlin wanted to give an explanation of certain changes. He stated that the Jacksonville and Piedmont areas have the greatest population growth, however the Anniston area was the one that lost the most. The changes led to the districts five areas being reduced, while the district one being increased. This was to even out the numbers. He further explained how the line is drawn based on census blocks. So, a single street may be divided into two districts. It also clarified that this does have no impact on the district for house vote in any way. It is determined at an individual level, and is not governed by the local government.
When was asked what the next steps would be, it was explained that there will be a public hearing scheduled for the following Commission meeting. Following that, the Commission would vote. If the proposal is approved, the map will become effective until the next vote. Board of Registrars would send an email to every resident whose district has been changed.
The Mr. Tyner thanked all for attending and particularly expressed his gratitude to the Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Woods, Judge Martin, Mr. Scheitlin, and the board of registrars for their tireless work. Judge Martin spoke and said the blessings Calhoun County is to not be facing the same issues that other counties face with redistricting. She thanked the commission, the board of registrars, as well as the county employees for their excellent job they do in keeping with lawful federal regulations .
