2010 Redistricting

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

RE-DISTRICTING THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER BOUNDARIES

Pursuant to RCW 29A.76.010, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner Chambers, located on the basement of the County Courthouse in Port Townsend, Washington, for the purpose of taking testimony concerning three options for redistricting (re-aligning) the County Commissioner boundaries to adjust population based on the 2010 Census, as shown on the following maps. These same boundaries would also apply to the Commissioner boundaries for the Port of Port Townsend and Jefferson County Public Utility District No. 1.

Hearing Notice Signed this 14^th day of November, 2011.

JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Maps

• East Jefferson County Redistricting Existing Commissioner Districts

• Alternative 1

• Alternative 2

• Alternative 3

BACKGROUND ON REDISTRICTING

The Board of County Commissioners is required by law (RCW 29A.76.010) to "prepare a plan for redistricting its internal or director districts" after each decennial census to reflect changes in population.  The plan must be consistent with the following criteria:  

a)      Each district shall be as nearly equal in population as possible. 

b)      Each district shall be as compact as possible.

c)      Each district shall consist of geographically contiguous area. 

d)      Population data may not be used for purposes favoring or disfavoring any racial group or political party. 

e)      To the extent feasible and if not inconsistent with the basic enabling legislation for the municipal corporation, county, or district, the district boundaries shall coincide with existing recognized natural boundaries and shall, to the extent possible, preserve existing communities or related and mutual interest.

f)        In addition, the Washington Secretary of State issued guidance that district boundaries cannot divide census blocks.

The BOCC is considering three redistricting options.  Maps were produced to show the potential new district boundaries as well as a map showing existing boundaries, available using the links above.

From 2000 to 2010, population in Jefferson County grew in all three Commissioner districts, but grew slightly faster in District 3, and slightly slower in District 1, while District 2 grew at the countywide average.  As a result, the boundary between Districts 1 and 2 must shift slightly to add population to District 1; and the boundary between Districts 2 and 3 must adjust to shift surplus of population out of District 3.

Using 2010 census block data, staff has developed three redistricting alternatives (see links above).  Each alternative brings the Commissioner District populations into approximate equality (see population statistics in the upper left corner of each map).  These draft alternatives are offered for public hearing on November 28, 2011.   On December 5, the County Commissioners will consider the public’s testimony and vote to adopt one of the three (3) alternatives, shown above.

At present, both the Port of Port Townsend and Jefferson County Public Utility District No. 1 follow the County Commissioner district boundaries for their districts.  Under state law, the Port Commissioner districts must follow the County Commissioners’, while the PUD Commissioners may either continue to follow the County Commissioners’ or set their own.

The Washington State Redistricting Commission is working to adjust federal Congressional and State Legislative district boundaries, and has a January 1, 2012 deadline.  At the local level, County Auditor Donna Eldridge will review and recommend potential changes to precinct boundaries for adoption on or before April 30, 2012.

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