On December 16, 2021, Dorchester County Council gave third and final reading to an Ordinance approving the 2021 redistricting plan. This process included redrawing the lines of districts from which public officials are elected to accommodate population changes from the previous decade. This process is required by the Home Rule Act of 1975 and the Code of Laws of South Carolina Section 4-9-90, and is completed following the census every ten years and before the next general election (November 8, 2022).
The redistricting process began in the early fall. On October 18, 2021, Mr. Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director of the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office presented a benchmark report for redistricting to County Council. That evening County Council adopted #21-16, a Resolution Establishing the Criteria to be Used for the Reapportionment of All County Council Districts as to Population Following the Adoption by the State of the Federal Decennial Census as Required by S.C. Code Ann. Sec. 4-9-90.
On November 15, 2021, Dorchester County Council gave first reading to an Ordinance to provide for the creation and establishment of seven single-member election districts for the election of a governing body of Dorchester County. On November 18, 2021, Dorchester County advertised a notice for a redistricting public hearing for the December 6, 2021 County Council Meeting. On December 6, 2021 a public hearing was conducted and County Council gave second reading to an Ordinance to provide for the creation and establishment of seven single-member election districts for the election of a governing body of Dorchester County. Finally, on December 16, 2021, Dorchester County Council gave third reading to the Ordinance, as amended, to provide for the creation and establishment of seven single-member election districts for the election of a governing body of Dorchester County.
Dorchester County Council will notify the Elections and Voter Registration Office (and other entities that will be affected by the plan) and the Elections and Voter Registration Office will then establish new precincts. New voter registration cards will be issued so voters will be able to vote in the June 2022 Primary Elections and the General Elections in November 2022 in their new County Council districts, etc.
Dorchester County Council Chairman, Bill Hearn said, “Redistricting is vital because we are required to follow the plan that’s been adopted for the next ten years”. Chairman Hearn also said, “Thanks to South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, County Staff, and County Council for completing the process in a timely manner so residents will be informed on the new district boundaries”.
For more information and to view the approved redistricting map, please visit www.dorchestercountysc.gov/redistricting.