Politics & Government

Tuscaloosa Redistricting Public Hearing Set For September

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the reapportionment process getting into full swing across Alabama

Alabama lawmakers expect to have district-level Census data by the middle of August.
Alabama lawmakers expect to have district-level Census data by the middle of August. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Following the conclusion of the 2020 Census, Alabama policymakers are now gearing up for the reapportionment process for the next 10 years as officials reconsider district lines for the state's congressional districts and school board seats, along with seats in the State Senate and House of Representatives.

Public hearings are required during the process, with Tuscaloosa's set for Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. in the Bean-Brown Theater at Shelton State Community College.

In addition to redrawing district lines, Tuscaloosa County previously pointed out that 2020 Census data will also be used to determine how the county's share of $13 billion in federal funds for schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other programs. While the dates for public hearings are set, lawmakers will not have district-level data until the middle of August.

Find out what's happening in Tuscaloosafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Tuscaloosafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Congressional districts: 7
  • Alabama Board of Education seats: 8
  • Alabama House of Representatives seats: 105
  • State Senate seats: 35

The process is normally a contentious one, as federal law requires districts to have somewhat equal populations and must not discriminate by race or ethnicity.

Alabama's Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment also includes two Tuscaloosa-area elected officials: Republican State Sen. Gerald Allen and Democratic State Rep. Chris England. State Rep. Bill Poole was also on the committee, but has since left the legislature to become state finance director.

In addition to Tuscaloosa's public hearing, here are other hearings set for west Alabama

  • Fayette - Bevill State Community College (Sept. 2 at 2 p.m.)
  • Demopolis - Demopolis Civic Center (Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.)
  • Livingston - University of West Alabama's Webb Hall, Room 239. (Sept. 16 at 11 a.m.)

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