Contact: Denise Turner
Phone: 336-373-2002

City Council Redistricting Plan Proposed

GREENSBORO, NC (April 15, 2011) – Greensboro City Councilmember Mary Rakestraw has recommended a plan that would redistrict the current City Council district boundaries. The recommendation requires the approval of City Council and the US Department of Justice.

US Supreme Court decisions suggest that if the variance between district populations – when comparing the lowest populated district with the highest – is 10 percent or less, redistricting may not be necessary according to guidelines in the 14th Amendment. Greensboro’s total variance rate is 9.2 percent, with the greatest variance existing between Districts 4 and 5.

Councilmember Rakestraw’s proposal creates a population balance of 7.0 percent. The plan impacts 11 precincts, converting 10 full and one partial district into new boundaries.

While the City does not appear to be in violation of the 14th Amendment, which requires districts to be equally populated, City Council can still elect to redistrict to further reduce the existing variance and create more balance between districts. Without redistricting, Greensboro still meets other US Department of Justice district boundary requirements, including maintaining two majority-minority districts.

Councilmember Rakestraw’s proposal will be discussed during the April 19 City Council meeting. For more information, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/redistricting.

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The City works with the community to improve the quality of life for residents through inclusion, diversity, and trust. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a professional staff of 2,800 employees who maintain the values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City is governed by a council-manager form of government with a mayor and eight council members. For more information on the City, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov or call 373-CITY (2489).