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Redistricting
General Overview
Every 10 years, federal, state and local district lines are redrawn based on the most recent census data. These lines determine who can run to represent us in elections at all levels. District lines should be drawn to ensure fair and equal representation for all residents.
It is the responsibility of Georgetown County Council to update the seven county council districts. These lines determine representation for county residents on the County Council, as well as the Georgetown County School Board. Georgetown County received census data in late September of 2021 that allowed it to begin the process of redistricting. The county contracted with the state office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs (RFA) to guide it through the redistricting process and create draft maps of the new Council districts for Council consideration. Information the RFA used to redraw district lines is available in the report below.
Latest Update -- Council Adopts Map 650
Council requested a 5th map following a public input meeting on Feb. 2, 2022. Map 650 was unveiled at County Council's Feb. 8 redistricting workshop. Later that evening, at Council's regular meeting, County Council unanimously adopted Map 650. The map addressed many of the concerns expressed by the public.
Upcoming Meetings
- There are no upcoming meetings
Map 509
The most significant differences between Map 509 and its predecessor, Map 843A, are that the new map has a significantly larger minority population in Council District 4 and a majority of the City of Georgetown are brought back into one district. These were the two changes most requested by residents based on public input.
In Map 509:
- The minority population in District 4 increases to 42.29%, up from 22.74% in Map 843A, making the council district a “minority influential” district.
- The standard deviation decreases to 5.09%, down from 7.13% in the previous version. One of the primary goals of redistricting is to ensure equal representation for all voters, and the lower the standard deviation, the more effectively that goal is being achieved.
- More of Georgetown’s West End and Maryville community are included in District 4. The communities were kept together in the same district “to the maximum extent possible,” said Stephen Williams, the county’s GIS manager.
- Wedgefield is moved back to District 7.
- The West End from the railroad tracks on Highmarket St. south to Front Street is in District 3. The area west of Congdon St. is in District 3. In the previous map, none of the West End was included in District 4.
- The area from the Sampit River to Nine-Mile Curve and south of Saints Delight Rd. are in District 3.
- There were only very minor changes to the boundary between Districts 5 and 7.
- Districts 7 and 3 remain “minority majority” districts, though the percentage of minority population is lower than in Map 843A. The minority population in District 7 is 57.6%, down from 63.02%. The minority population in District 3 is 59.62%, down from 70.01%.
Other Maps
Two maps showing options for federally mandated redistricting were drafted by the State office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs (RFA), and delivered to Council in mid-December, 2021. After reviewing the two maps and having individual meetings with County Administrator Angela Christian, it was clear Council had a definite favorite: the map labeled Plan 1-843. However, all of the council members had concerns about various aspects of that map. Those concerns and feedback from each council member were used to create a third map, 1-843A.
Key considerations in developing the maps are as follows:
- The requirement of “one person, one vote” under the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
- The Voting Rights Act.
- Traditional redistricting principals.
- Input from Council members
- Other applicable court decisions and federal and state laws
The 2020 census saw the county’s total population increase by 5.4%. Just under 30% of the county’s population is minority. The RFA told the county the new maps were a challenge due to “the compactness of the minority community.”
Maps may be viewed in detail on our GIS Mapping System. A video tutorial of how to use our GIS Mapping System is located at the bottom of the page.
Highlights of each draft map and changes in comparison to current district lines are as follows.
Map 1-843A
Has two “majority minority” districts (Districts 3 and 7).
- District 4’s minority population makeup shrinks to 22.89% from just over 50%. However, the minority population for Districts 3 and 7 is considerably higher in Plan 1-843A. The percentage of minority residents in the county as a whole decreased from 2010 to 2020, according to the census, making it a significant challenge to ensure minority representation.
- The Kensington community moves from District 2 to District 4 instead of moving the DeBordieu community from District 2 to District 4. Council members said they wanted to see communities with like interests – such as coastal communities – remain grouped together.
- Two current school board members – Lynne Ford and Pat DeLeone – would no longer reside in the districts they represent.
- District 1 County Council Member John Thomas and District 6 Council Member Steve Goggans would no longer reside in the districts they represent. Both announced previously that they do not plan to seek re-election when their terms expire at the end of this year.
- Litchfield Country Club is shifted from District 1 to District 6.
- Districts 1 and 6 are shifted significantly in the alternative plan. Both areas gained a large number of new residents over the last decade. District 1 shrinks to include only the northernmost portion of the current area covered by the district. District 6 would also move north and take over a large portion of the area currently in District 1, from the current District 7 line all the way to the coastline.
- The lower portion of the area currently in District 6 would move to District 2 and the district becomes smaller, again due to increased population density.
- Perhaps the biggest changes are to District 4, which would absorb Kensington and much of the easternmost portions of District 3 from Highway 17 toward Winyah Bay and southward to the county line. The City of Georgetown’s West End community would be shifted to District 3 and most of the current northwestern portion of District 4 would move to District 7, with District 5 picking up a smaller portion.
- District 7 expands into the northern portion portion of what is currently District 4 while losing some area to District 5 in the northern portion west of Carvers Bay Road.
- District 5 expands into the central northern part of what is currently District 3.
District | 2020 Census Pop. | Pop. Goal | Over/(Under) | % Deviation |
1 | 9,017 | 9,058 | (41) | -0.45% |
2 | 9,217 | 9,058 | 159 | 1.76% |
3 | 9,023 | 9,058 | (35) | -0.38% |
4 | 8,725 | 9,058 | (333) | -3.67% |
5 | 9,071 | 9,058 | 13 | 0.15% |
6 | 9,371 | 9,058 | 313 | 3.46% |
7 | 8,980 | 9,058 | (78) | -0.86% |
Lowest Deviation from Goal | -3.67% | |||
Highest Deviation from Goal | 3.46% | |||
Deviation Range | 7.13% |
Map 1-843
Attempting to create equal population throughout each district according to the Voting Rights Act did not have a significant impact to the voting age population or racial makeup of the districts.
- Map 1 consists of one “majority minority” and two “majority influential” districts with respect to voting age population.
- DeBordieu is shifted from District 2 to District 4.
- Map 1 used overall population, which reduced the voting age population of two of the three majority minority districts.
- The deviation range was reduced from 36.32% to 8.43%.
- 114 census blocks were shifted.
- 11 voting precincts were affected
- Map 1 took into consideration as many natural boundaries as possible to reduce the burden to voters and voting precincts.
- Map 1 also minimizes as many changes as possible to reduce the burden on voters and voting precincts.
- No current council or school board members would be unseated by redistricting under the plan.
District | 2020 Census Pop. | Pop. Goal | Over/(Under) | %Deviation |
1 | 9,401 | 9,058 | 343 | 3.79% |
2 | 9,092 | 9,058 | 34 | 0.38% |
3 | 9,207 | 9,058 | 149 | 1.65% |
4 | 9,225 | 9,058 | 167 | 1.85% |
5 | 8,724 | 9,058 | (334) | -3.68% |
6 | 9,118 | 9,058 | 60 | 0.67% |
7 | 8,637 | 9,058 | (421) | -4.64% |
Lowest Deviation from Goal | -4.64% | |||
Highest Deviation from Goal | 3.79% | |||
Deviation Range | 8.43% |
Map 1-777
- In attempting to create equal population throughout each district according to
the Voting Rights Act, voting age population was taken into consideration.
- Map 2 kept three “majority minority” districts.
- The deviation range was reduced from 36.32% to 7.77%.
- 148 census blocks were shifted.
- 17 voting precincts were affected.
- As many natural boundaries as possible were taken into consideration.
- Due to the compactness of the minority population, voter precincts were impacted.
- In attempting to retain the majority minority districts, people were shifted into new districts. Trying to reduce the number of impacts was a significant challenge.
- Current incumbent residences for both County Council and School District seats were taken into consideration.
- No current council or school board members would be unseated by redistricting under the plan.
District | 2020 Census Pop. | Pop. Goal | Over/(Under) | % Deviation |
1 | 9,120 | 9,056 | 64 | 0.71% |
2 | 8,977 | 9,056 | (79) | -0.87% |
3 | 9,375 | 9,056 | 319 | 3.52% |
4 | 8,671 | 9,056 | (385) | -4.25% |
5 | 9,295 | 9,056 | 239 | 2.64% |
6 | 8,940 | 9,056 | (116) | -1.28% |
7 | 9,013 | 9,056 | (43) | -0.47% |
Lowest Deviation from Goal | -4.25% | |||
Highest Deviation from Goal | 3.52% | |||
Deviation Range | 7.77% |
Questions
If you have questions that are not covered on this page, please send an email to redistricting@gtcounty.org.
GIS System Tutorial
A brief video tutorial of how to access redistricting maps and other information via the County's GIS system is below.
- What is redistricting?
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Every 10 years, districts on the federal, state and local levels must be redrawn to ensure each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring each fair representation for every person. Georgetown County is responsible for drawing County Council Districts. School Board members also use the same district lines as County Council. On the county level, redistricting helps ensure every council member represents the same number of constituents. Based on the 2020 census, every Georgetown County Council district should have as close to 9,058 residents as possible.
- Why should I care about redistricting?
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Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a council representative. The County Council will seek input in selecting the next district map, which will be in place for the next decade. You have an opportunity to share with Council your thoughts on how district lines should be drawn to best represent your community. Three public meetings have been scheduled to present draft maps and gather public input. Public comments may also be submitted online at gtcounty.org/redistricting. Public input meeting dates are as follows:
- Jan. 18, 2022, 6 p.m. at Choppee Regional Recreation Center
- Jan. 19, 2022, 6 p.m. at Howard Auditorium
- Jan. 24, 2022, 6 p.m. at Waccamaw Regional Recreation Center
- How can I view draft redistricting maps?
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In addition to being on display at public input meetings in January, the three draft redistricting maps are available for the public to review and comment on at gtcounty.org/redistricting.
- How can I view the current council district map?
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The current council district map is available as a layer on the county’s GIS mapping system and can be accessed via gtcounty.org/redistricting. The current map can be overlayed over the draft redistricting plans to allow residents to compare the two in detail.
- How will Georgetown County notify the public about redistricting?
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The county has set up a web page at gtcounty.org/redistricting to make it easy for residents to find the latest updates and all the information they need about redistricting in one place. Through its public information office, the county is also working with local media and using social media and other platforms, such as its monthly newsletter, to put information into the hands of the public. Updates are also being posted to the homepage of the county’s website and directly emailed or text messaged to residents who have signed up for news alerts and notifications from Georgetown County. Public meetings are being held in communities across the county. Recordings of these meetings are also being made available online at YouTube.com/gtcountysc to allow as many people as possible to watch the meetings and submit their comments on the redistricting plans.
- How can I get involved?
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Georgetown County wants as many residents as possible to be involved in the redistricting process. Residents can be involved by attending one of the following public meetings:
- Jan. 18, 2022, 6 p.m. at Choppee Regional Recreation Center
- Jan. 19, 2022, 6 p.m. at Howard Auditorium
- Jan. 24, 2022, 6 p.m. at Waccamaw Regional Recreation Center
Public comments will also be accepted at Georgetown County Council meetings leading up to adoption of a redistricting plan. Council meetings are scheduled for Jan. 25 and Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. Additionally, public comments may be submitted online at gtcounty.org/redistricting.
- What are census blocks and how do they figure into redistricting?
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In counting population, the entire nation is divided into census blocks. Census blocks are statistical areas bounded by visible features such as roads, water bodies and railroad tracks, and by nonvisible boundaries such as property lines, city, county and school district lines. In a city, a census block looks like a city block bounded on all sides by streets. Census blocks in suburban and rural areas may be large, irregular, and bounded by a variety of features. By law, the Redistricting Data Program provides states the opportunity to specify where census blocks will be. Local governments do not determine where census blocks are and the county cannot split census blocks during redistricting. Census blocks may be viewed as an overlay on proposed redistricting maps in the county’s GIS system. A link to the system and a how-to video on how to use it are available at gtcounty.org/redistricting.