North Charleston City Council redistricting public meetings

In the coming weeks, the City of North Charleston will hold a series of Public Meetings for the general public to review and provide comments on the redrawing of City Council district lines.

It is necessary to "rebalance" district sizes periodically so a vote in one district has the same weight as a vote in all others. The Census, which counts population every 10 years, typically reveals population shifts resulting in varying council district sizes. In turn, the Census allows for the accurate drawing of new map lines based on those shifts.

Also, according to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, election plans are required to be drawn in a way that is fair to minorities. Section 5 of the Act requires that select states (including South Carolina) get "pre-clearance" from the US Justice Department or Federal Court before making any official change to its election plan.

Copies of the draft map will be displayed throughout the City at City Hall, community centers, churches, and on the city’s website, here: http://bit.ly/councilredistricting.

Citizens can also submit comments online from the webpage mentioned above.

Below you will find a schedule of Public Meetings:

Date	Location
Monday, May 23, 6:00 pm	North Charleston City Hall, Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 pm	Chicora Elementary School Auditorium
Tuesday, May 31, 6:30 pm	Ft. Dorchester High School Cafeteria
Wednesday, June 1, 6:30 pm	Lambs Elementary School Cafeteria
Thursday, June 2, 6:30 pm	Northwoods Community Center Gym

The City hopes to have First Reading of the Council District Ordinance at the Thursday, June 9, 2011 City Council Meeting and Final Reading at the Thursday, June 23, 2011 City Council Meeting.