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Rutherford County Redistricting Committee could be close to wrapping up work





A district map shows the changes the Rutherford County Redistricting Committee has proposed as of the Wednesday, Sept. 22 meeting.

A district map shows the changes the Rutherford County Redistricting Committee has proposed as of the Wednesday, Sept. 22 meeting.

The Rutherford County Redistricting Committee could be ready to vote for a new district map using 2020 federal census data at its next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

The committee has met the last few weeks to adjust the map and its 21 districts that, if approved by the Rutherford County Commission, will remain intact for the next decade.

Rutherford County has grown by about 30% in the last decade with 341,486 residents recorded in 2020 in comparison to the 262,604 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Redistricting Committee chairman Alan Farley, who is also the county administrator of elections, said the committee’s goal should be to make the adjustments that will have “the least amount of change and impact on the voters.”

Farley encouraged members to look for the most “definitive boundaries,” including rivers, railroad tracks and major highways are being utilized where possible.

One of the map adjustments that generated the most discussion has the potential to move Commissioner Rod Key of District 19 to District 14 when election season begins. Farley said this is not the first time this has happened and that the majority of the voters within Key’s current district would likely be shifted along with him.

Farley said District 14 will not have an incumbent commissioner. The current commissioner for that district is Virgil Gammon.

Commissioner Wayne Blair of District 10 was not in attendance.

“For us to walk away with a map that’s somewhat reflective of what the map has been for the last 30 years, I think that says a lot in itself,” said Farley, who said that no school or road board members have been taken outside of their designated zones at this point.

If the committee approves a new district map, it will be passed along to the County Commission to possibly vote at its October meeting. If rejected, the redistricting committee may be required to continue working or the county commissioners could address the issues themselves.

“For us to walk away with a map that’s somewhat reflective of what the map has been for the last 30 years, I think that says a lot in itself,” said Farley, who saw that no school or road board members have been taken outside of their designated zones.

When the committee reconvenes, members will walk through each district and bring forth any concerns or changes they’d like to make.

COUNTY ZONES

Rutherford County Commission, Road Board and School Board Zones and Districts 

Zone 1: Districts 5, 11 and 12 (Contiguous) 

Zone 2: Districts 1, 2 and 3 (Contiguous)

Zone 3: Districts 4, 6and 7 (Contiguous)

Zone 4: Districts 8, 9 and 10 (Contiguous)

Zone 5: Districts 17, 18 and 21 (Contiguous) 

Zone 6: 13, 15 and 15 (Contiguous) 

Zone 7: 14, 19 and 20 (Contiguous)

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