REDISTRICTING 2011

• 2012 Polling Place Relocation Amendment
• Adopted Redistricting Plan 2011
• Redistricting 2011 Overview
• Census 2010 Data
• Redistricting Population Numbers
• Redistricting Criteria
• Finding Your Existing Election District, Precinct, and Polling Place

2012 Polling Place Relocation Amendment

At the April 25 meeting the Board of Supervisors adopted an amendment to the 2011 redistricting plan. Proposed Ordinance 12-05 is intended to relocate the Berkley Precinct, Ashland District, from JM Gandy Elementary School to the Ashland Fire Station; relocate the Hanover Grove Precinct, Mechanicsville District, from the Stonewall Jackson Middle School to the Mechanicsville Library; and relocate the Shady Grove Precinct, Chickahominy District, from the Rural Point Elementary School to the Washington Henry Elementary School.

Adopted Redistricting Plan

At the May 11 meeting the Board of Supervisors adopted a redistricting plan, which was subsequently pre-cleared by the Department of justice for implementation. The plan increases the number of precincts by 2 to 36 (12 of the existing 34 precincts have no change). The proposal moves four polling places to new locations and drops the number of polling places in private facilities from five to four. The plan has been coordinated with the adopted State redistricting plans.

The adopted redistricting alternative has each election district within the 2.5% deviation range of the optimum population, which was the stated goal. Six of the seven districts have less than 2% deviation. The adopted plan keeps each of the election districts with the same minority composition as exists today.

The adopted Ordinance document has a detailed description of the precinct boundaries that make up each election district. A summary report of the adopted redistricting plan documents details of the plan, including details on individual election district, precinct, and polling place changes. In addition, detailed maps of election district, precinct, and polling places are available as follows:

Adopted Redistricting Plan - a link to an overall generalized adopted redistricting plan map is noted below. A more detailed map link is noted under the "Finding Your Existing Election District....." section below.

• Overall County Map
• Overall County Population Numbers

Adopted Redistricting Plan - maps of each election district with precinct boundaries color-coded. Precinct names are labeled.

• Ashland District
• Beaverdam District
• Chickahominy District
• Cold Harbor District
• Henry District
• Mechanicsville District
• South Anna District

Redistricting 2011 Overview

In April 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau conducted the decennial census, which provides a population count of all residents in Hanover County. Based on this population count the County apportioned its Board of Supervisors magisterial (election) districts so that each district contains an equal portion of the County population. This is accomplished through Redistricting, which is the process of changing electoral district and constituency boundaries. The U.S. Constitution requires that electoral districts be periodically adjusted or redrawn to account for population shifts.

Census population data has been released and has been incorporated into the County Geographic Information System, which was used as the primary method for implementing redistricting. The adopted plan was coordinated with redistricting changes made at the State level. Public participation was solicited from traditional print and network media sources and through mailings, but the main source of information was through the County web page.

Census 2010 Data

The 2010 Census documented that the County's April 1, 2010 population was 99,863, which represents a 15.7% population increase since 2000. Each of the County's seven election districts experienced growth at varying levels as shown in the table. The County's minority population has increased slightly over the past 20 years from 10.8% in 1990 to 11.7% in 2000 to 13.3%in 2010. The 2010 percentages by election district are shown in the table. The "Other" category includes various minority categories (Asian, etc.) and also includes people of multiple races. Hispanic population are not considered a separate race and totaled 2.1% of the entire County population.

Redistricting Population Numbers

As mentioned previously redistricting is the process of establishing election districts that each have an equal or close to equal population. Determining this population figure is accomplished by dividing the total County population (99,863) by the total election districts (7), which equals 14,266 people ("target" population). Hence, as redistricting alternatives were developed the ideal proposal would have each of the seven districts contain a population of 14,266. Achieving this was unrealistic, so the Board of Supervisors has established a goal of trying to have each of the seven election districts within 2.5% of the "target" population.

Redistricting Criteria

The Federal and State government publish guidance documents that can be used to assist in the redistricting process. Hanover has used these guidance documents and other materials to compile a Reapportionment of Magisterial (Election) Districts Resolution that has been adopted by the Board of Supervisors to provide County staff guidance as redistricting was implemented.

Finding Your Existing Election District, Precinct, and Polling Place

The County has drafted detailed maps that show election districts, precincts, and polling place locations. There is a main map and an inset map. If you know your street address or tax parcel number (gpin) you may also use the County's on-line web site to locate your property and determine the election district, precinct, and polling place. Click on the "Enter Mapping & Data Section", "Accept" the disclaimer and then enter your street address or tax parcel number to view your property record.

Comments on this page should be forwarded to Kevin R. Nelson, Hanover County GIS Manager.