Those interested in the results of redistricting in Greenbrier County should attend the December 28 County Commission meeting, where County Clerk Robin Loudermilk plans to present the updated maps.
During the Tuesday, November 23, commission meeting, Commission President Lowell Rose explained that the new maps would be coming after the West Virginia Legislature’s redistricting process was finalized earlier this year.
“Robin Loudermilk, our clerk, has been working on the magisterial district precincts and polling place locations. As everybody knows the House and Senate [maps] have been [redrawn after the 2020 Census], and they drew a line down through Greenbrier County on Route 219. [This] creates a multitude of problems for Ms. Loudermilk’s selection department because they cut through precincts and they can’t be divided. They have to be on one side or the other. She’s going to give a resolution on that, and then the actual maps will come out.
The resulting new maps have not been finalized, but the commission moved forward with advertising the December 28 meeting, where more complete maps will be presented.
“This change will have effects in 12 precincts, it’s looking like it’s going to affect 3,353 people of the voting age. I don’t know if all those people are registered, but that’s how many people it will affect. It is going straight up Route 219 – parts of precincts are going to be split off into a different area. I’ll just ask if y’all can sign this order so I can get those maps completed. … I’ve discussed some of the changes that I’m doing and went over the maps with the President of the Commission. Once those are final, we’ll present those on [December] 28th, once everything’s in place.”
Before the motion to approve was introduced, Commissioner Mike McClung highlighted the issues the new maps have created.
“I want to thank our clerk,” said McClung. “This created quite a dilemma for her and, and the information she needed to solve all this situation was very late in coming. At the 11th hour, she had to be involved with the redistricting, on several levels, with the magisterial district, with the precincts, with the new House of delegates and Senate districts. The legislature in its wisdom, or lack thereof, did not follow the precincts’ line, it created a huge problem for her. So Robin, thank you.”
“I appreciate your continued work on this as well,” Commissioner Tammy Shifflett-Tincher added. “I know it was a headache, so it is appreciated.”
Loudermilk also read public notice for the commission.
“The County Commission of Greenbrier, sitting in Regular Session on 23rd day of November 2021, does hereby order the clerk of the commission to publish the following notice as … a legal advertisement in The West Virginia Daily News,” Loudermilk read. “Please be advised that on December 28, 2021, the Greenbrier County Commission will consider the entry of an order regarding possible changes in the magisterial districts, precincts, and polling places locations for Greenbrier County. These changes are being made due to a shift in population in accordance with the most recent census. This will be a permanent change effective with the May 10, 2022, primary election. Any interested party may appear for the Greenbrier County Commission during regular scheduled meetings on December 14, 2021, at 10 a.m. and December 28, 2021, at 10 a.m. in the County Commission Office of the courthouse.”
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.