Columbia Standard

Richland County is joining hundreds of other counties in redrawing its district maps to better reflect recent Census data.

These changes may influence which candidates residents will be able to vote for in future elections.

“Council wants to make sure residents are aware of potential changes to their districts and give them an opportunity to provide feedback on those changes,” County Council Chair Overture Walker said, according to the Richland County website. “Making these maps available to the public — online and in person — allows us to better serve our community.”

Richland County’s new maps are displayed at five Richland Library locations.

“In Richland County, most of the growth would occur in the Northeast and the Northwest of our county,” said Chairman Paul Livingston told News 19.

This process of redistricting involves redrawing the County’s 11 council districts in response to population changes following the U.S. Census. The process, which happens every 10 years, could affect council representation for some residents, as some homes and businesses will fall within different districts.

“We wanted the citizens in the Blythewood area to be able to see the maps and ask questions before the public hearing. Then they can come to the hearing and make their voices heard,” Derrek Pugh, a representative for District 2, told The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County.

The proposed maps are based on 2020 Census figures and are available by going to RichlandCountySC.gov and clicking on the Council Districts webpage.

“Council members have been very deliberate about this process,” Livingston told the Columbia Regional Business Report.

The County Council’s third and final reading of the maps is set for Tuesday, Feb. 8, when the council will vote on whether to adopt the new maps.