Richland County Adds Meeting To Collect Input On Proposed Redistricting

Press release from the Richland County Government:

January 19, 2022

Richland County will hold an additional meeting to allow residents to provide feedback on proposed redistricting maps before the new districts are finalized.

County Councilmember Gretchen Barron (District 7) and state Sen. John Scott (Senate District 19) will hold the drop-in meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 at Meadowlake Park, 600 Beckman Road, Columbia. During the meeting, which is specifically geared toward Council District 7, residents can drop by at their convenience to view the County’s proposed maps, ask questions and give feedback. Scott will be on hand to answer questions on redistricting for Senate District 19.

This meeting follows several other public input sessions on redistricting in the County. More meetings could be planned before County Council’s third and final reading on the maps, set for Feb. 8.

Redistricting involves redrawing the County’s 11 Council districts in response to population changes following the U.S. Census. This process, which happens every 10 years, could affect Council representation for some residents, as some homes and businesses will fall within different districts.

The proposed maps are also available by going to www.richlandcountysc.gov and navigating to the Council Districts webpage. After viewing the maps, residents can email comments and questions to redistricting@richlandcountysc.gov.

When finalized, the redrawn maps will take effect upon approval by County Council.

This press release was produced by the Richland County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.