Big Spring redistricting hearing Tuesday Second hearing set Jan. 25

When the U.S. Census comes out every 10 years, local governments are required to ensure that their districts' populations are balanced so that citizens' government representation is roughly equal. Along with other local government bodies, the City of Big Spring is currently going through that process, and will hold a pair of public hearings related to redistricting.

The meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers, 307 E. Fourth Street, Jan. 11 and Jan 25, at 5:30 p.m.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and offer their opinions at the two hearings.

A press release issued by the city explains, “According to the 2020 United

States Census data, the City's singlemember districts from which Council members are elected are not of sufficiently equal population and must be redrawn to comply with the 'one-person, one-vote' principle established by the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended in 1975 and 1982,” the release says. “The City Council is considering new boundaries for its single-member districts. The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss potential options for the drawing of those new boundaries in compliance with the law for the Project.”

Criteria for redistricting established by the City Council at its Dec. 8 special meeting include:

1. The plan should ensure that all applicable provisions of the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, the Voting Rights Act, and the Texas Election Code are honored.

2. The plan should be drawn in such a manner that the maximum deviation from an ideal size, as determined by