New District Boundary Updates
pootlian filed the lawsuit on behalf of six African-American voters in Florence, Sumter, Georgetown, Berkeley, Darlington and Charleston counties, and said that the state's new redistricting plans amounted to "voting apartheid."
In addition to our representatives to the Federal Government, the boundaries of our state representatives’ districts were also redrawn, including Rep. Patsy Knight’s District 97. The ReBy Richard Hayes publicans are taking aim at this district, as the minority population percentage under the new As most of you know, by law the states had to The lawsuit, filed against Gov. Nikki Haley, the boundaries is much lower. We will have to redraw all district boundaries after the 2010 Legislature and other state officials, claims that work hard for Patsy this coming November census. On the national level this year, South the new district lines create a system that segre- 2012 to ensure her reelection. Carolina gained another U.S. Congressional gates white and black voters and essentially district, rising from six to seven. puts a large amount of black voters into one Finally, the County also had to redistrict the congressional district. Those who worked on boundaries for our seven council members in The seven districts including the new 7th Conthe redistricting plans, however, say the lawsuit Dorchester. The County is under the Federal gressional District underwent the “redistricting” is basically without merit. Court’s watchful eye to ensure Dorchester process this last year by the State Legislature, maintains at least one majority-minority district controlled by the Republicans, and approved by The Justice Department said previously that it (Willie Davis’ District 3). the Governor, a Republican. As a result of the would not challenge the district layout, but that way the Republican Party accomplished the has no impact on whether or not any other The County achieved its goals in redistricting, redistricting, a lawsuit was filed in November group could protest the plans through a lawsuit. but as a result Councilman Willie Davis’ disby the state's Democratic Party. The decision on the lawsuit will ultimately lie trict is now huge, going from one end of the with a District Court judge. County to the other like a “horseshoe.” State Democratic Party Chairman Dick Har-
Recent Breakfast Meetings We covered the county in the last two months! (And please note that we will NOT have a December breakfast meeting!)
For our October breakfast, we enjoyed a great meal at St. Mark’s church in St. George. Lots of thanks to the folks (above) who prepared and served the food that morning. Sen. John Matthews (left, standing) gave us an update on vital issues from the State Assembly, like Voter ID and new district boundaries. (Thanks to Councilman Willie Davis, seated in the photo on the left, for arranging that breakfast meeting!) In November, DCDP met at Ryan’s in Summerville. State Rep. Seth Whipper, whose District 113 is proposed to expand into our county, spoke with us that morning. (In the photo on the right, that’s Seth with DCDP chair Richard Hayes.)