On Wednesday, June 8, 2022, during their regular monthly meeting, the Police Jury held a public hearing to discuss reapportioning the voting districts. Following explanations from Dr. Gary Joiner, owner of Precision Cartographics, the Police Jury adopted the reapportioning ordinance.
Reapportioning happens every 10 years as the Census Bureau recounts the population. Reapportioning/redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, if necessary, based on changes in population.
Dr. Joiner said, “I think the most interesting thing I found, the most surprising thing I found was that within Arcadia, District 2 just contracted. Your population is very, very close. It’s a good thing. One thing, it removes the rural area out of it.” The population of District 2 was 30 % higher than it was 10 years ago. Dr. Joiner said new construction and people moving into town from rural areas resulted in the population shift. District 2 is the small yellow portion in the top right of the attached parish map.
Another notable change is with Districts 6 and 7 in the area of Mill Creek Reservoir near Saline. Prior to the reapportionment ordinance, the whole of Mill Creek Reservoir was in District 6. Following the reapportionment, it is now split between Districts 6 and 7. (District 6 is represented in purple on the map below, and District 7 is represented in grey)
Dr. Joiner explained that while there was some population shift within the parish, on the whole the population is stable in comparison to other parishes. Dr. Joiner said, “Stable is good. There are other parishes that are just downright hurting.”
As a comparison, take a look at the previous district map below.
Take a look at the video and minutes for the complete meeting.
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