Ferguson Redistricting Commission 3.17.22
Meeting called to order 5:31p by Chairman Larson. El Douglas was also present for
this virtual meeting.
Committee members received several articles from Attorney Apollo Carey on 3.15.22
regarding redistricting criteria: Redistricting Criteria (ncsl.org); Redistricting and the
Supreme Court: The Most significantt Cases (ncsl.org) and, Basic Equal Population
(redistrictingonline.org). Chairman Larson also sent an article dealing specifically
with redistricting in Missouri: Redistricting in 2021- 'A Brief Overview For Local
Government Officials'. Commission members were also sent email containing slides
previously reviewed during the 2/17 meeting.
Based on Ferguson's total population of 18,527 the ideal for each of the 3 wards is
6176. Current census blocks total: Ward 1= 6799 (.08% deviation), Ward 2 = 6200
and Ward 3 = 5528 (10.5% deviation). Based on this information there is a 22%
deviation. Normal accepted deviation is no more than10%.
Larson and Douglas reviewed the slides of the 3 wards in more detail and agreed
redistricting was warranted. The commission agreed other issues beside
population equality needed to be addressed during the redistricting effort,
i.e.,compact districts, retention of existing neighborhood boundaries, retention
of precinct boundaries and preservation of communities of interest to list a few.
The goal is to achieve the ideal for each ward while addressing as many of the
other criteria as possible.
One suggestion was to look at census blocks off of Forestwood neighborhood as a
possible for reaching the ideal. It was suggested we schedule the next meeting
in person so maps could be better viewed and the commission could see more
clearly how many individuals occupied each census block.
Chairman Larson also agreed to invite a representative (Ryan ?) from the County
Board of Elections Mapping Department to our next meeting. Larson indicated
this individual was experienced and we should prepare questions to submit prior
to the meeting. Larson would also ask for enlarged maps of the wards to better
assist the commission in their effort.
Meeting adjourned 6:20p.
Submitted by El Douglas
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