Lincoln County officials discussed the need to equalize districtpopulations while some members of a small public hearing audienceMonday sought to increase the percentage of black voters in thecounty’s predominantly black district.

As the county begins its redistricting process, consultant BillRigby said supervisor district lines need to be redrawn becauseindividual district populations are too far out of line with votingrights provisions. Other voting district lines, such as for justicecourt, will also be redrawn but changes are not expected to have asbig an impact as new supervisor lines.

Courts have traditionally allowed no more than a 10 percenttotal variance, but Lincoln County’s total variance is 16.63percent. Total variance is the difference between the county’s mostpopulous district and the least populous.

The 16.63 percent was a little higher than a 14.99 variancepresented earlier. Rigby said the new total was a result ofadjusting for some split census blocks, mainly between Districts 2and 5, under a plan adopted after the 1990 census.

When census blocks are split, a house count can be used todetermine where citizens are for redistricting purposes. However,Rigby and Bob Allen, board attorney, did not think a house countwould be needed because adjustments could be made during thisyear’s redistricting process.

“At the present time, it does not appear it’s going to make thatsignificant a difference,” Allen said.

Rigby said whole census blocks will be used this year whenredrawing lines. He said that would helpful when futureredistricting is needed.

“You want to make sure you have the best starting placepossible,” Rigby said.

Another factor considered in judicial review of redistrictingplans is black population percentages.

Rigby said Lincoln County was fortunate in that the black votingage population of District 1, the county’s predominantly blackdistrict, increased from 1990 to 2000. District 1, with 6,232people, is the least populous in county and is 6.05 percent belowthe ideal district population of 6,633.

The 1990 black voting age percentage was 61.52 while it was62.58 percent in 2000. Along those lines, Allen indicated thatDistrict 1 would likely be one of the least affected districts.

“Probably, there will be more effort to change the otherdistricts, simply because it’s simpler,” Allen said.

However, public hearing attendees Jesse Buie and Percy Raulsquestioned plans regarding District 1. They spoke only brieflyduring the hearing but more at length afterward, expressing adesire to increase the black voting age percentage in thedistrict.

“That number should be higher,” Buie said, adding that it shouldbe at least in the 70 percent range.

Buie and Rauls also spoke about the type of voters they wouldlike to see added to the district. They indicated that propertyowners are more likely to take a role in elections and renters andlow-income individuals are more likely to be apathetic about theelection process.

“They are not property owners,” Rauls said. “They could careless whether they vote or not.”

Buie said he was pleased with the census block approach toredistricting. He said that should “correct a lot of ills” andreduce the number of affidavit, or challenged, ballots duringelections.

“I think this is heading in the right direction, if we can getthe 62.58 percent up,” Buie said about redistricting efforts. “Idon’t see why we can’t.”

District 5, with 7,335 people, is the most out of line as far asvariance. It is is 10.58 percent over the ideal districtpopulation.

In redrawing lines, Rigby said he will be mindful of incumbentelected officials’ residences, legislative district lines, precinctlines and other boundaries. Allen also spoke about minimizingconfusion related to redrawing lines.

“One of the goals, always, is a redistricting that causes theleast amount of confusion possible,” Allen said.

After a plan is drawn, a second public hearing will be held toget public input before it is submitted for U.S. Justice Departmentpre-clearance. Once approved, the circuit clerk’s office willconduct an “administrative redistricting” to notify affected votersof their new voting situations.

When a plan is submitted, the justice department has 60 days toreview the plan and can get another 60 days be requestingadditional information from the county. New lines, once approved,will be used in next year’s county elections.

County officials hope to have a plan pre-cleared by the end ofthe year.

“We’re shooting for a time frame that ends up at the latest inDecember,” Allen said.