County to
redraw the district lines

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

One group has said for years the Columbus County commission districts do not comply with the constitutional requirement of one person, one vote. Monday night, commissioners decided it is time for change.

In a 6-1 vote of the board, commissioners decided it was time to check into redrawing district lines to ensure that every district in the commissioners’ single-member district election system have an equal number of people.

Commissioner Ronald Gore’s detailed motion to redistrict essentially called for coming into compliance with federal law while “maintaining the integrity of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.”

“We should discuss this before we bring it to the public,” said Commissioner Amon McKenzie, who was the only commissioner who voted against the motion and is the second African American ever to serve on the board since two minority districts were created as a result of the 1992 ruling.

“I’ll vote for it with approval of the U.S. Federal Court,” Commissioner Bill Memory said.

“I think this is something we need to have some more discussion on,” Chairman Sammie Jacobs said.

Board of Elections Director Carla Strickland pointed out that Columbus County is not covered under chapter 5A of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Those counties listed must get pre-clearance from the federal government for redistricting to ensure that minority voters’ interests are protected.

“Anything dealing with redistricting I am going to vote against it,” McKenzie said after the meeting. McKenzie said an earlier motion to go to countywide voting put him on guard.

“Because of an earlier motion to go to countywide voting—that’s why I voted that way,” McKenzie said, pointing out that if he doesn’t fully understand what is being asked for he doesn’t vote for it.

The 1992 order in question essentially turned five commission districts with candidates that were voted for at-large into seven single member districts in which only voters in the district vote for the commissioner who represents the district.

Strickland said the Board of Elections couldn’t play a part in redrawing the lines. As a quasi-judicial board, it is prohibited from doing so, she said.

County Attorney Steve Fowler said Wednesday that as long as the redistricting maintains the minority districts it might not be necessary for the redistricting to have approval of the court.

An earlier motion by Commissioner James Prevatte called for a countywide voting referendum to be placed on the 2008 ballot. Voters would be asked if they wanted to go to a countywide voting system. The motion was defeated 4-3, with only Gore, Prevatte and Commissioner Ricky Bullard voting for it.

Columbus County Citizens for Better Government President Harry Foley, who had planned to ask the board of commissioners to consider redistricting but held off on making his presentation in order to collect more data, was pleased with the vote.

“I’m floored,” said Foley, who was enthusiastic about the decision.

The CCCBG has long advocated for countywide voting. Foley said prior to the Monday commissioners meeting the group was focused, for now, on redistricting.

Several of the districts may have more than a 10 percent deviation in population and could be challenged in court as violating the constitutional provision of one person, one vote, Foley said.

Commissioner Ronald Gore’s district may have as much as 20 percent more residents than Commissioner Bill Memory’s district, according to 2000 census data.

He said it is likely the request will be met with opposition on the grounds the board may want to wait for the 2010 census, but Foley said waiting until the 2010 census is a mistake. The 2008, 2010, and 2012 elections could all be decided with unbalanced districts if redistricting is put off, Foley said.

Redistricting has not occurred since 1992 when a federal court ordered that commissioner districts be redrawn to protect minority districts.