One thing in store for 2022 are new legislative and Congressional districts across new voting district maps could affect voter maps in some of the State’s fastest growing areas.
Alabama redraws district lines for the Legislature and Congress following the census head count. The idea is to keep the number of residents about the same in all districts. That’s where Baldwin County could see changes. Its population grew by close to 30 percent.
Fairhope area State House member Joe Faust says that means his district will shrink to make room for others.
“They took Silverhill and Robertsdale away from me,” said Faust. “I don’t have that anymore and Summerdale. That was a good area for me. Whatever it is, we’re going to serve the people.”
Alabama didn’t grow that much in the last 10 years, but Baldwin County’s population jump of 30 percent could mean voters will be represented by somebody else, whether they want it or not.
Faust says that’s created some communication issues.
“Some of the people from Silverhill were upset about it,” he noted. “I said communications is close by. You need something from me, I’ll work with whoever is your representative, try to get what you want done.”
A panel of three federal judges may also have a say in things. They heard arguments on whether the new voting maps fairly represent Blacks in the State.