By Kathy Chouteau
The City of Richmond’s Clerk’s Office is welcoming residents to join one of two virtual redistricting workshops on Wednesday, Aug. 25, that will help draw district boundaries for City Council seats based upon data from the 2020 U.S. Census.
The workshops are set for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Zoom. Spanish translation will be available during the 6 p.m. workshop.
As part of the redistricting process, local governments use new census data to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed and so each district is largely equal in population, according to the city. In 2019, Richmond began transitioning from an at large system for electing city councilmembers, where voters elected all six city councilmembers, to a district-based system, where voters elect only the councilmember who resides in their designated area of the city. Richmond must have a map of council districts finalized via a public process by April 17, 2022.
Facilitated by the National Demographics Corporation (NDC), the workshops will “give an overview of the redistricting process, receive input on communities of interest and introduce the mapping tools,” according to City Clerk Pamela Christian. Estimated population totals, the Citizen Voting Age and other relevant demographic data will be provided by NDC during the workshops “so that the public can begin drafting maps.”
Following the August workshops, another workshop will be held Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
To join the Aug. 25 Redistricting Workshops, enter Zoom webinar ID 922 5039 5010 and passcode: workshop. To join the Zoom by phone, dial 1 (699) 900-6833 and the same webinar ID and passcode. Questions? Email the City Clerk Department at: [email protected].
