County adds meeting to collect input on proposed redistricting

Councilmember Gretchen Barron, state Sen. John Scott will take part in District 7-focused event

Richland County will hold an additional meeting to allow residents to provide feedback on proposed redistricting maps before the new districts are finalized.

County Councilmember Gretchen Barron (District 7) and state Sen. John Scott (Senate District 19) will hold the drop-in meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 at Meadowlake Park, 600 Beckman Road, Columbia. During the meeting, which is specifically geared toward Council District 7, residents can drop by at their convenience to view the County’s proposed maps, ask questions and give feedback. Scott will be on hand to answer questions on redistricting for Senate District 19.

This meeting follows several other public input sessions on redistricting in the County. More meetings could be planned before County Council’s third and final reading on the maps, set for Feb. 8.

Redistricting involves redrawing the County’s 11 Council districts in response to population changes following the U.S. Census. This process, which happens every 10 years, could affect Council representation for some residents, as some homes and businesses will fall within different districts.

The proposed maps are also available by going to www.richlandcountysc.gov and navigating to the Council Districts webpage. After viewing the maps, residents can email comments and questions to [email protected].

When finalized, the redrawn maps will take effect upon approval by County Council.

Proposed Changes

The most significant changes to the redrawn Council maps are outlined below:

• Districts 1, 4, and 5 (represented by Councilmembers Bill Malinowski, Paul Livingston and Allison Terracio, respectively) remain largely unchanged.
• District 2 (represented by Councilmember Derrek Pugh) is losing portions of the North Columbia area and an area south of Blythewood to District 7 (represented by Councilmember Barron).
• District 3 (represented by Councilmember Yvonne McBride) is losing a portion of Ward 6 and all of north Forest Acres to District 6 (represented by Councilmember Joe Walker).
• District 8 (represented by Councilmember Overture Walker) shifts northward, absorbing the Longcreek neighborhood in the northwestern portion of District 9 (represented by Councilmember Jesica Mackey). As a result of that shift, District 3 gains the Trenholm Road and Arcadia voting precincts, and District 6 gains the Satchelford voting precinct.
• District 10 (represented by Councilmember Cheryl English) gains the area southeast of Fort Jackson, bounded by Congaree and Piney Branch roads, to the Garners Ferry area currently in District 11 (represented by Councilmember Chakisse Newton).

Find More Information

• On redistricting in South Carolina: The Redistricting FAQ page on the S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office’s website at www.rfa.sc.gov
• On redistricting in Richland County: The Council Districts webpage on the County’s website at www.richlandcountysc.gov