An additional meeting has been added to the South Carolina House Redistricting Ad Hoc Committee that is crisscrossing the state to hear what citizens want during the redistricting process.
The additional meeting is a second virtual session on Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m. To stream the September 28th meeting, go to this website and click on “Live Broadcast” in the bottom right corner under House Meeting.
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The committee, chaired by Representative Chris Murphy (R-Dorchester), was in Aiken on Sept. 20.
“These hearings are really key ingredients in the process of redistricting in South Carolina,” he said. “Here tonight, the members of this committee are seeking your input into the insight and process of redrawing our districts in order to accommodate the tremendous growth that we’ve seen in South Carolina since the 2010 census.”
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Among those speaking to the committee was Ann Willbrand, second vice chair of the Aiken County Democratic Party, who asked redistricting be done by a non-partisan commission rather than elected officials.
“Aiken County typically votes about 65% to 35% Republican to Democrat. The state house delegation and county council should reflect that balance, but neither does,” she said. “The only way to have free and fair elections is to put the emphasis on having as many competitive, compact districts as possible that represent communities of interest and don’t split district lines.”
Several speakers urged the committee to draw districts that keep communities of interest together.
Donna Moore Wesby, former member of the Aiken County Board of Education, said “What I encourage you to do as elected officials is to put others needs above yourselves. To not be tempted to provide recommendations that limit the possibility of minorities electing people of their own interests and backgrounds.”
Her sentiment was echoed by Eugene White, President of the NAACP Aiken Branch.
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“We’d ask the ad hoc committee to do their best and fight against the destruction of opportunity, minority districts,” he said. “Create new ones where possible and protect those communities of interest where applicable.”
The committee’s final hearing will be Oct. 4 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. It will be a virtual session via Microsoft Teams.
MORE: South Carolina Officials Hear from Aiken Residents on Redistricting
Virtual testimony may be offered at both online public hearing. To sign up to give virtual testimony email virtualtestimony@schouse.gov. Emails must be received 24 hours prior to that hearing.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Redistricting Subcommittee, chaired by state Sen. Luke Rankin (R-Horry), also held 10 meetings across the state. The last one was in Aiken. This subcommittee is responsible for redrawing Congressional districts and state senate districts. Videos of all 10 meetings can be viewed here.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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