Lowndes County”s redistricting plan got the OK from the U.S. Department of Justice.
But, after elections, the county may still face a lawsuit.
After drawing much ire from community members and District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks, Lowndes County moved forward with plans to redraw its voting districts.
Brooks and others argues the plan diluted minority voting strength in District 5, while “packing” minorities in District 4.
Districts 4 and 5 are the only black-majority supervisor districts.
The redistricting plan takes District 5 from a current 63.5-percent black majority to 62 percent. District 4, the other black-majority district, remains 79.4-percent black.
A letter from the Justice Department to Chris Watson, the county”s redistricting consultant, notes the attorney general “does not interpose any objection to the specific changes.”
It, however, goes on to state the lack of objection doesn”t bar the county from potential litigation. And a lawsuit could mean supervisors and possibly election commissioners, justice court judges and constables, would run for office again in 2012.
But for now, Brooks, who filed an official complaint when the redistricting plan was submitted, is holding off on any litigation.
“I am going to wait until after the election is over, to meet with some of my supporters and my attorney, to get some advice,” he said. “After the election, we”re going to sit down and discuss the options.
“This election could be challenged under the fact that we are running under the old lines, and that violates the one-man, one-vote rule.”
Others to speak out against the redistricting plan include the NAACP, Lowndes County League of Voters, Crawford Mayor Fred Tolon, Columbus City Councilman Kabir Karriem, local ministers and community members.
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