Election districts modified by recent redistricting
Letters are in the mail advising the more than 2,000 Warren County voters of changes caused by the recent redistricting of electoral districts and precincts.
“Every district in the county underwent changes in some form aside from the 7th District which was unchanged,” said Election Administrator Donna Yates. “We’ve sent out cards this week alerting voters of the changes which affect them.”
According to Yates, redistricting is conducted every 10 years following the census to ensure districts are similar in population. For some voters, the redistricting may mean they will be voting at the different polling place this year and even voting for different county commissioners.
Others may remain in the same district, but be represented by a new state representative in the state house. This is true for voters in Centertown, who have been moved from Charles Curtiss’ district to the recently added 47th District currently held by Butch Lewis.
“The people in Centertown, south of Highway 70, have been moved to the 47th District, meaning they will be voting in Butch Lewis’ district now instead of Charles Curtiss’,” Yates said.
The 47th District is replacing the 37th District, represented by long-time lawmaker Shelby Rhinehart. Yates is encouraging those with questions regarding redistricting changes to contact the election office at 473-5834.
In addition to district changes, Yates noted registration deadline for those not registered to vote is April 5 at 5 p.m. Following that time, it will be too late to register to vote in the upcoming May 7 Democratic Primary.
Along with registration deadlines, Yates said qualifying deadline for candidates wishing to seek offices including state representative, governor and U.S. congressional and senatorial seats is April 4 at noon. Anyone wishing to enter those races should act soon since duplicate copies of their qualification must be filed in each county in which they are running.
“It’s best not to wait till the last minute,” Yates said. “A while back we had a candidate who filed here the day of the deadline but wasn’t able to make it to all the counties in time, so he didn’t get on the ballot that year.”