Skip Alston now controls the process of redistricting for the Guilford Board of County Commissioners. His redistricting committee met yesterday and apparently set a soft deadline of next Wednesday, July 6, to received proposed maps.
If Republicans and conservatives want to have any input into this process, they need to submit a map by Wednesday. Although it seems extremely doubtful that Alston will seriously consider any such submission, it is nonetheless important to be a part of the process in the event the matter is litigated later. There is not much time.
Joe, one week is an extremely short amount of time for the average citizen, who does not have access to the most up-to-date software or technical expertise, to produce a map, in my opinion. Add the July 4 holiday, when many people are at the beach or otherwise disengaged, and the returns diminish.
I spent some time over the weekend producing some illustrative maps that I thought your readers might be interested in seeing: http://yesweeklyblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/test-1.html
I'll repeat a previous offer here: I'm happy to provide data and technical advice to anyone who is interested in submitting a map, regardless of your political or ideological leanings.
Posted by: Jordan Green | July 04, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Thanks, Jordan. And I agree that the week-long window of time, inclusive of a holiday weekend, is clearly insufficient.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | July 04, 2011 at 08:41 PM
Jordan -
Sorry bud, but NONE of your maps comply with the new law. THe new law requires 3 >50% black voting age districts. Specifies BLACK VOTING AGE. None of your plans meet that criteria.
Posted by: Guilford Girl | July 05, 2011 at 06:58 PM