Greensboro council to hear from public on redistricting

The Greensboro City Council will hold a public hearing tomorrow during its regular meeting, beginning at 5:30 p.m., on redistricting. Staff has determined that the population changes from 2008 to 2010 do not require that the city redraw council lines. Under the equal protection provision of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, the city is required to maintain population balance with a variance of no more than 10 percent.

A public input meeting held last month indicates most voters prefer to maintain the lines as they are to avoid confusion when voters go to the polls.

The greatest variance in population was found between districts 4 and 5. At-large Councilman Robbie Perkins told me last week that there might be some interest in making an adjustment in District 4. As reported earlier, flipping Precinct FR3 in the Cardinal neighborhood from District 5 to District 4 would bring the populations into closer alignment. It would also likely benefit incumbent Councilwoman Mary Rakestraw by shoring up her conservative electoral base.