The Ellis County Press: Redistricting public meeting planned

Redistricting public meeting planned
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Megan Gray on 07/01/2011 12:59:00


NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON REDISTRICTING OF ELLIS COUNTY
Ellis County is governed by Article V, section 18 of the Texas Constitution.
Since Ellis County elects four of its commissioners from single member
districts, the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution requires under
the principle of “one-person-one-vote” that all districts have essentially
the same number of people. Also, Texas and its political subdivisions are
jurisdictions covered by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and as subsequently
reenacted in 2006. Under section 5 of the Act, the Attorney General of the
United States must pre-clear all voting changes before they may be implemented.
The Attorney General must determine that all voting changes made by the county
do not have a discriminatory purpose or effect upon the rights of minorities to
vote. In addition to changes in the commissioners’ precincts, approval is
required for changes to election precincts or polling places. Since justices of
the peace and constables are elected officials, any changes affecting them also
must be approved.
The Attorney General’s regulations strongly encourage community input into the
process. Therefore, a public hearing will be held for the purpose of securing
community commitment upon the proposed redistricting plan on one day, Wednesday,
July 6, 2011 with the location and time of the public hearing as follows:
Ellis County Historical Courthouse
2nd floor, Commissioners Courtroom
101 W. Main Street
Waxahachie, Texas  75165
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
All citizens of Ellis County are encouraged to attend and participate in this
important public hearing.
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Signed: Carol Bush, County Judge