Redistricting committee defined, accepting applications

By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ

PUTNAM COUNTY – With the imminent arrival of Census numbers to the county, it is time again for the county begin the process of redistricting, which must be completed by Jan. 1, 2022, according to state law.

Monday night, the Putnam County Commission voted to limit the number on the redistricting committee to nine members, six of which are set by statute: one representative from each municipality in the county, the Putnam County Election Commission Administrator and the Putnam County Commission Chairman. 

Nominations are now being accepted for the remaining three members who will be voted on at the July commission meeting. Membership on the Redistricting Committee is open to any citizen of Putnam County. 

Nominations for the redistricting committee should be made to Terry Randolph, Nomination Committee Chairman, by email at Tr61950@gmail.com.

Redistricting is a process that the county must go through every 10 years upon receiving Census numbers to ensure that each county commission district represents substantially the same number of residents. 

Throughout the period between redistricting, population shifts within a county may result in population imbalances among the existing county districts. Using the most recent census data, the county legislative body can adjust or redraw county district boundaries to equalize population among districts. 

Michelle Price is the former managing editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal and can be reached via email. Send an email.

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