Hamilton County Commission Votes In New Map Adding Two More Districts
HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) – “In the words of Mick Jagger, you can’t always get what you want,” says Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Martin who is one of six Republican commissioners who voted for – and won – the resolution to send the new district map to Nashville for official approval.
The three Democrat commissioners voted against it. “You know, I’m disappointed. I really am,” says Commissioner David Sharpe. “I thought we had an opportunity today and this year to provide much greater representation to the people of Hamilton County.”
Every decade, district lines are redrawn with data taken from the U.S. Census. Hamilton County will have two new districts thanks to significant population growth. The map itself was approved unanimously but Democrats wanted more time to discuss the redistricting with constituents before sending it off to Nashville.
“The 11 district map is an improvement but we still have plenty of time to do work before we are required by law to submit maps and I feel we could’ve done much better,” says Sharpe.
Tuesday’s vote is the culmination of months of meetings, community round tables and planning that included the hiring of an outside agency to design multiple map proposals.
“We’ve exhausted the efforts to try to be fair and accountable to the public in what we did in drawing the new district lines,” says Commissioner Tim Boyd.
The election commission will meet to discuss new voting precincts, polling locations and distribute new voter registration cards. One Democrat commissioner whose district was split said it was tough letting go of constituents he’s supported for 16 years.
“They trust. They depended on me. I loved representing them. But unfortunately I had to give them up,” says Commissioner Warren Mackey. “We fought and spoke out for them and will continue to fight for them but just for right now I won’t be able to continue as their county commissioner.”
The election for the new commissioners will take place next August.
