Brookhaven approves redistricting map in advance of November elections

Brookhaven, GA, May 6, 2021 – At its regular business meeting on May 4, the Brookhaven City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to amend the charter of the City of Brookhaven for the purpose of reapportionment. Of the various district maps considered, option #7 was the version approved.

The new district map brings the anticipated population of all four of Brookhaven’s council districts within 1.5% of each other.

“Now that the lines are drawn, it is clear what district residents now live in so they can make an informed decision on which council candidates to support, or perhaps run for office,” said City Manager Christian Sigman. “With a flurry of recent annexations and population shifts, Districts 2 and 4 were much larger than Districts 1 and 3. Now everyone’s vote carries the same weight.”

Due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census was delayed in receiving data and currently anticipates local census data to be released at the end of September. However, qualifying for November municipal elections in Brookhaven takes place Aug. 18-20.  To address the issue, Brookhaven City Council contracted with FLO Analytics to process data from the U.S. Census, the American Community Survey, state, county, and regional population forecasts, and local land and building development records to produce population projections for geographies of differing scales, in accordance with nationally recognized and industry standards.

“It was important that the Council addressed this issue now, as half of our governing body is on the ballot this fall. and we would have jeopardized the upcoming elections if we kept our existing district boundaries,” said Mayor John Ernst.  “While we have made the best decision with the information we have available at this time, the City Council and I will revisit redistricting once the official Census results are received.”

“Our focus is now contacting residents who have shifted districts to make them aware of the changes and how it will affect them,” said Sigman.

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