The St. Joseph County Commissioners voted to establish the county’s redistricting process Tuesday.
State and local lawmakers are required to redraw the boundaries of their districts once every 10 years, based on new census data.
In August, the county commissioners hired Indianapolis law firm Kroger, Gardis and Regas to help with the process. The firm is managed by former Republican state House Speaker Brian Bosma.
The process will take place over the next six weeks. There are currently public packets available in the commissioners’ office in the County-City Building with a copy of the redistricting plan and instructions on how community members can submit their own maps to the commissioners.
The deadline for members of the public to submit objections to the plan is Friday, Oct. 15, and the deadline for proposed maps is Friday, Oct. 29 at noon.
The commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 9 to consider maps drawn by both the county and community members. They will take a preliminary vote at that meeting and a final vote on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
The state redistricting process wrapped up Monday when Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the state’s redistricting bill into law.
Experts say the maps likely eliminate any competitive Congressional districts and virtually guarantee the GOP will maintain or grow its supermajorities in the state House and Senate.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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