Meeting scheduled to address redistricting

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Redistricting meetings for northeast Wyoming have been scheduled for late this week and early next week, according to information provided by Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower. 
A Sept. 20 press release from the Legislative Services Office says that the purpose of redistricting is to “redraw the geographic boundaries of an area from which people are elected as representatives to the legislature.” Under the state constitution, the Legislature is required to complete the process before the first budget session following each U.S. census to reflect shifts in population. 
The plan will then be adopted by the full Legislature during the 2022 budget session, scheduled to begin Feb. 14. 
As previously reported, Driskill said that the current redistricting process is crucial for rural Wyoming. Crook, Campbell and Weston counties are blocked together, and the Joint Corporations, Election and Political Subdivision Committee, which Driskill chairs, is doing its best to recognize county lines and utilize a system of nested districts. Nested districts, according to the senator, have two House seats that lie in a Senate seat. 
“Region 6 will be holding its final rounds of redistricting meetings on the following dates and locations,” Driskill said in an email. “The first (meetings) in Wright, Newcastle and Upton are informational meetings.” 
The meeting is in Wright and is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Wright Town Hall. Newcastle’s will be Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center, and Upton’s is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Upton Community Center. Driskill noted that the locations of these meetings could change. 
A meeting will also be held in Sundance on Nov. 3 at approximately 8 p.m. in the Crook County Courthouse, following the Republican Party Central Committee meeting, to replace the Crook County treasurer. 
After the initial meetings, a final meeting is scheduled to try to devise a plan for the area
on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Moorcroft Town Center Building. 
“All input is welcome. If you are bringing a proposal to the final meeting, please have a plan that is shareable and meets the district requirements,” Driskill said. “We should expect to approve two separate plans.” 
He noted that one plan would outline 477 people that could potentially go to Campbell County and the other should keep those 477 people in Region 6. 
“All plans should show House districts — once plans are accepted for the House, then we have six House seats and can choose nesting,” Driskill said.