North Charleston redistricting plan gets thumbs up from federal government

Image by City of North Charleston

The City of North Charleston's plan that would change what district's many members of the city live in (and who they vote for on council) has recieved a federal OK. 

The Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice that the Attorney General told the city they do not hold any objection to the redistricting plan submitted in late June 2011.

The required update reflects population shifts and growth within the City according to the 2010 Census, the city has 10 districts.

It is necessary to "rebalance" district sizes periodically so that 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.

You can see the new districts here.

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.

Election for all 10 North Charleston City Council members and the mayor's office is set for November 8; you can read more about those races here.

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