2024 Redistricting
2024 Redistricting
The redistricting process has ended. On February 6, 2024, the city council adopted our new Anniston Ward Map. You may review the detailed map by clicking the button below or scanning the QR code on the map with your smartphone.
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing regarding the City Manager’s Proposed Redistricting of the City will be held at the regular meeting of the Anniston City Council at 5:30 PM CT on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Anniston City Meeting Center (1615 Noble Street, Anniston, AL).
At said time and place, all persons will have an opportunity of being heard in opposition to, or in favor of, said redistricting proposal.
In adherence to constitutional mandates and the Code of Alabama, the City of Anniston is set to undergo a Ward Redistricting process in 2024. This is due to the 2020 Census which showed a change in population of our current Council Wards. The goal of redistricting is to construct Wards with “substantial equality of population.” In other words, the 2020 Census showed that Anniston’s population is now 21,564. Thus, Anniston is obligated to undergo a redistricting process that aims to evenly balance our total population amongst each of our 4 Wards.
In short, the process aims to divide 21,564 four ways as evenly as possible. That means each Ward should be as close to 5,391 people as possible. This best achieves the goal of one person’s vote in one district having the same “weight” or “influence” as a person’s vote in another district – (One Person, One Vote principle).
For example, as the Table 1 below shows, the 2020 Census showed our city’s population changed in such a way that Ward 1 is well over the target population of 5,391, while Ward 2 is below the target population of 5,391.
While minor deviations are allowed, redistricting must be rooted in race-neutral objectives, in order to comply with the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. Therefore, boundary lines are drawn using criteria such as preserving compact and contiguous districts and protecting communities of interest. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
The Voting Rights Act plays a crucial role, safeguarding against changes that could adversely impact minority voters.
The proposed Ward Map by the City Manager maintains a balance, with two minority-majority wards, one majority-majority ward, and one ward providing equal opportunities to both minority and majority voters.
The demographic and population breakdown of the City Manager’s proposed Ward Map may be seen below in Table 2:
To view the EXISTING Ward Map, please click here, or scan the QR Code below with your Smartphone’s camera:
Note: You may search your address in the search bar at the top of each map. The color shaded over your address will inform you as to which Ward you are in.
To view the PROPOSED Ward Map, please click here, or scan the QR Code below with your Smartphone’s camera:
Note: You may search your address in the search bar at the top of each map. The color shaded over your address will inform you as to which Ward you may be, if the proposed map is adopted by council.
The first chart shows the proposed ward breakdown, while the second chart shows the existing ward breakdown after the 2020 Census results.
To download this document, click here.
For questions or more information, on your voting registration status, or polling location, please contact the Calhoun County Board of Registrars at: 256-241-2930.
You may also visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website at https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview.
For questions or more information, on the redistricting process, please contact City of Anniston Planning & Economic Development Director, Toby Bennington, at: 2560-241-7162 or tbennington@annistonal.gov.
Sign up for our Quarterly Newsletter, upcoming event information, and more! This is the best way to stay informed on the latest news, activities, and happenings throughout the Model City!
Translate
Translate