NAACP head proposes
redistricting changes

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
March 22, 2003
The head of the NAACP has proposed significant changes to a redistricting map Meridian city councilmen presented at public hearings earlier this week.
Walter Patton, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was the only city resident who attended two public hearings this week designed to give residents a chance to voice concerns on the proposed changes to city ward lines and polling places.
Patton argued that the percentage of black voting age population wasn't high enough in Ward 5, and overloaded in Ward 4 reducing the chance of a black person being elected in both wards.
Wednesday's public hearings came months after councilmen began working to craft a proposed map to reflect population changes from the 1990 census to the 2000 census.
In the end, councilmen agreed on a proposed map with small changes.
In all, eight city blocks would shift places in Wards 2, 4 and 5. Meanwhile, Wards 1 and 3 would remain as they were when city leaders last drew district lines in 1997 using 1990 census figures.
2000 census figures show that Meridian's population decreased from 42,003 to 39,968 during a 10-year span.
The population statistics also showed the city lost 5,353 white residents and gained 3,317 non-white residents during that same time period.
Councilmen must redraw district lines and have the new map approved by the U.S. Justice Department before the 2005 city elections.
City Council President Mary Perry said she's not sure if Patton's proposed changes can be made to the map.
Perry said councilmen have not yet had a chance to meet as a group and discuss the NAACP's proposal.