BIG SPRING, TX — During today’s special meeting of the Howard County Commissioners Court, Commissioners met with lawyer Robert Bass from Allison, Bass and MaGee, to discuss the possible options of redistricting the county precincts. According to Pct. 3 Commissioner Jimmie Long, the goal is to have 7,600 voters in each precinct, or at least be within two percent of that number. This is determined by the most current Census numbers. According to the 2020 Census, there are approximately 30,000 people who reside in Howard County – based on those who completed the census.
With the current voter numbers Precinct 1 is short 531 voters and Precinct 2 is over by 571. With the redistricting of the precincts, those numbers were readjusted to create a more even spread of voters across the county. According to Eddilisa Ray, County Commissioner for Pct. 1, they had to pay attention to who they added to Pct. 1 because it is the minority precinct and the minority percentage number could not decrease from where it was 10 years ago. This ensures that the minority population is able to receive equal representation.
Under the suggested changes, Precinct 1 will be 57 voters short, Precinct 2 will be 23 voters short, Precinct 3 will be 34 voters over, and Precinct 4 will be 44 voters over.
A public hearing will be held on the redistricting of the precincts on Friday, Nov. 12th at 9 AM at the Howard County Courthouse. It is during that time that the public will be able to voice their concerns about the redistricting of the county precincts. If the final approval is given by Howard County Commissioners, the new precinct lines will be effective for the March 2022 Primary Election.
(photo: Howard County Commissioner Jimmie Long explains the redistricting map to Commissioner John Cline, Pct. 4 during the special meeting of the Howard County Commissioners Court on Nov. 1, 2021 .)
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