Following a lengthy discussion, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a redistricting map that drew community concern.
The court-appointed Redistricting Advisory Commission (RAC) presented the M9 and SM2 maps during the last meeting. On Nov. 4, two additional maps were proposed and added to the RAC’s website titled CC1 and CC2. These maps were submitted by Commissioner Lon Shell. As this was addressed during Tuesday's meeting, several county residents and those within the RAC chose to speak out about it.
“In understanding these proceedings it’s easy to see how governance attempts to hold power by picking voters. Attempts to sidestep this process reduces trust in governance. We still believe that our map is the best map for representing change in the demographic data in Hays County,” said Mark Trahan, Hays County Democratic Party Chair and RAC appointee. “The map is well-balanced, it uses clean, rational lines for distinguishing precincts and the map has been reviewed by the RAC and the public and legal council and was provided with time for public comment.”
