At its regularly-scheduled meeting and final meeting of the year, the Wharton City Council approved a new boundary map for its district representatives.
Rezzin Pullum with Bojorquez Law Firm, PC, was hired to re-draw the city’s four district boundaries following the 2020 census.
The city’s current population total maximum deviation stands at 11.41%, which exceeds the state-mandated limit of 10%, and requires redistricting.
Pullum presented two maps for council consideration.
Map A, would bring the population deviation down to 9.69%, just below requirements.
“One of the things that we highlight here is the total map maximum deviation of 9.69%. That’s right under that 10% permissible range,” Pullum said. “It’s a district plan that achieves all the redistricting criteria, while still observing the least amount of change.”
The second, Map B, proposed a total maximum deviation of 0.84%, however, it would require substantial changes to the voting street maps.
City Secretary and Assistant City Manager Paula Favors requested council consider Map A due to the city’s fast-approaching election.
“Right now, we are a little bit behind because COVID has delayed the process with the redistricting,” Favors told council. “What makes us a bit nervous is if there are a lot of changes to the district lines, it’s going to cause a disturbance with the election coming up.”
Favors went on to explain that if Map B was adopted, the county’s election administration would have a short window to prepare and get voting cards out prior to the city’s upcoming election.
In a split vote, council sided with Favors and chose Map A for its new district map.
Council members Clifford Jackson (District 1) and Alice Heard-Roberts (Pos. 6- At Large) voted no to the map; however, the majority carried.
City 2022 Election
Expiring terms for the upcoming city election are: Councilmember District 2; Councilmember District 4; Councilmember Position 6 – At Large; and Mayor.
Filing for a place on the ballot begins January 19th and filing closed on February 18, 2022.
The election will be held on May 7, 2022.
For more information on the city’s district or elections, visit The City of Wharton’s website.
