Redistricting 2022
MAP OF PROPOSED WARD LINES
The red boundaries on the map outline CURRENT ward lines.
City Council will hold Second Reading & Public Hearing on adopting this map at its meeting on Monday, June 20, 2022.
The City of Greenwood has requested the assistance of the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA) in conducting the local redistricting process. RFA is assisting local units of government around the state with their redistricting process. RFA has published an FAQ document that provides an overview of redistricting in South Carolina.
2020 Redistricting Benchmark Report - City of Greenwood
The 2020 Redistricting Benchmark Report, developed by RFA, is an overview of the 2020 Census data and shows population and demographic changes that have occurred since 2010. This report outlines the traditional redistricting principles each unit of government should follow and provides the estimated ideal population for each City Council Ward.
IMPORTANT: This report does not suggest or provide new ward boundaries. RFA will assist the City in redrawing Ward lines after input has been submitted by the public and City Council.
What is redistricting?
Every ten years local governments use new census data to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed and to ensure that districts are substantially equal in population. Federal and state law require cities to engage residents in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and requesting public input. A key measure in determining the new ward lines is the 5%+ / 5%- rule, which holds that the most populous and the least populous wards are within 5% of the ideal ward population.
Why should redistricting matter to me?
Simply put: It’s about your vote having the same impact as others.
Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a councilmember. By engaging in the redistricting process, communities may have a better opportunity to express their interests in establishing voting districts for the next ten years.
What criteria will our City Council use when drawing district lines?
To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria: (1) geographically contiguous districts, (2) the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, (3) geographic integrity of a city shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, (4) easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (streets, highways, rail lines, etc.), and (5) lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
Public Input
Input from the public is critical to help inform the Mayor and City Council about your Community of Interest. The City of Greenwood has prepared the Public Comment Form below to provide the public with another way of submitting information on characteristics that may define your Community of Interest.
The concept of protecting Communities of Interest is to draw boundaries in a manner that preserves communities that share common interests and that should be included within a single district for purposes of their effective and fair representation. There are many types of common interests that may identify a Community of Interest. For example, communities may be defined by the location of geographic boundaries or features, such as a residential subdivision, parks or churches. Communities may share a common culture or language. Communities may be defined by their neighborhood, or by the location of cultural, religious or educational institutions.
What do the existing Council Wards look like?
You can find a map of the City’s current Council Wards here.
How to participate?
Residents are encouraged to submit public comments by completing the Redistricting Public Comment Form, attending one of the scheduled Public Hearings, or emailing Assistant City Manager, Ryan Thomas at: ryan.thomas@gwdcity.com
