Greenwood’s Wards Undergo Changes: What Residents Need to Know
Greenwood is seeing some changes, and it’s all thanks to the recent redistricting process. It’s a move that aims to keep our local government fair and equitable, ensuring everyone’s vote matters just as much as their neighbor’s. Here’s what you need to know about the changes coming to the city wards.
Understanding Redistricting
For those unfamiliar, redistricting is when state and local governments tweak the boundaries of electoral districts to balance out population numbers. This sweeping process, which happens every ten years following the census, ensures each voter has equal sway with their vote, keeping in mind the principle of “one person, one vote.”
This year, the Greenwood City Council needed to adjust the ward boundaries, focusing primarily on Wards 1 and 6. According to the first look by the state’s Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA), there was initially a more than 25% difference between the city’s largest and smallest wards. The state requires this margin to be under 10%, recommending an ideal target around 5%.
The Big Shift
Efforts to balance the populations led to some significant changes. Here’s a closer look at the main adjustments:
- Georgia, Alabama, Faulkner, and Virginia neighborhoods moved from Ward 6 to Ward 1.
- Lodge Grounds transitioned from Ward 5 to Ward 6.
City Manager Julie Wilkie explained these adjustments during a recent city council meeting. “The biggest changes to the map is Georgia, Alabama, Faulkner, Virginia — that area went from Ward 6 to Ward 1, and then Lodge Grounds went from Ward 5 to Ward 6,” she noted.
Keeping Communities Intact
Not all adjustments were made without resident input. Council members Johnathan Bass of Ward 4 and Matthew Miller of Ward 5 played a role in advocating for certain communities to remain whole, ensuring that neighbors wouldn’t be divided by new boundary lines.
It’s also important to note that this redistricting process uses U.S. Census data and doesn’t factor in recent annexations. However, City Manager Wilkie mentioned the city’s plans to update its district maps post-redistricting to reflect any upcoming developments.
Next Steps
The new map needs to be adopted by July 18 to be effective for the November general elections. The Greenwood City Council had its first reading on the ordinance this past Monday. The second reading is scheduled for June 20 at 5:30 p.m.
For those wanting a more thorough understanding of these changes, there will be an informational meeting on June 13 at 5 p.m. at 1310 Cambridge Ave, also known as The Hut. City officials will be present to explain the changes and answer any questions residents may have.
Weather Update
Lastly, for those curious about today’s weather, we have cloudy skies ahead with a high of 81°F. Winds will blow gently from the ENE at 5 to 10 mph. As night falls, expect continued cloudiness with a slight chance of a rain shower. The temperature will drop to a low of 63°F, with the winds continuing from the ENE at the same speed.
Stay informed and make sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming meetings. Balancing our city’s wards ensures a fairer, more equal Greenwood for everyone!
