Redistricting Moves on to Justice Deptartment

Unless the U.S. Justice Department contests the map, Dorchester County has its new districts.

See attached map to the story.

The redistricting plan had its final reading on Monday night during a regular county council meeting in St. George. 

Redistricting occurs with the U.S. Census and must adhere to strict guidelines regarding minorities and population for approval by the department. Plan 7 was the redistricting plan the council enacted. 

The idea is to accurately represent the county's population. Redistricting this year has also occurred on the state and municipal level. .

In August, Council Chair Larry Hargett expressed some concern over the plan since it put high growth areas of Westcott and Ashley Phosphate into his district.

However, according to staff, Plan 7 offered the second highest minority concentration (55.104 percent) and the best population balance (2.563 percent). Bobby Bowers of the state Budget Control Office recommended Plan 7.