Marshall County Clerk Deb VanDeMark updated the Marshall County Commissioners on the redistricting process last week.
She has submitted a form to the state to indicate that Marshall County officials may consider redrawing certain lines within the county for certain commissioner or county council districts. The process is typically done after a census is complete once every 10 years. She pointed out that it starts with the state.
VanDeMark explained, “The congressional and state legislative boundaries will be drawn and approved before the Indiana General Assembly. Normally, that’s done by now, but because of COVID that’s not going to be done until September or October. So, it’s going to give us about a six-week period to get everything done rather than a six-month span to get everything done – to get those final population numbers.”
The Marshall County Election Board members will make recommendations to the commissioners by figuring out the commissioner districts and four council districts and keeping them as close to balanced as possible.
Annexing will also be reviewed to determine all is accounted for in terms of redistricting.
VanDeMark noted that both redistricting and reprecincting may be done. Reprecincting may be redone in West Township and Walnut Township to ensure there is the right minimum number of voters in each of those townships. VanDeMark said an election board meeting may be scheduled soon to begin looking at precincts.
The commissioners have until December 31 to complete the process and submit the proper forms to the state. Municipalities and school boards will follow next year.
