PITT COUNTY REDISTRICTING PROCESS

Following each federal decennial census, elected legislative bodies, including local municipalities, counties, and school boards, engage in redistricting of election districts to comply with Federal and State constitutional requirements.

The Mission

The purpose of redistricting is to better balance the population between commissioner districts so that no Pitt County Commissioner is representing substantially more residents than other Commissioners. Redistricting is accomplished by adjusting the boundaries of the County’s six voter districts to account for population change. Redistricting occurs every 10 years and is based on the population data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent decennial census (2020).

The Process

Planning Department staff obtained 2020 Census data on August 12^th, 2021. To comply with the "one person, one vote" standard, an ideal population is established for each district by dividing the total County population by the number of officials to be elected from districts. Based on 2020 census data, Pitt County has a population of 170,243. There are six (6) County Commissioner seats and thus the ideal population for the districts is 28,374. To determine equality among districts, the “+/- 5% Deviation Rule” is applied.   Currently, District 4 has the highest population, with a 13% deviation from the ideal population.  District 2 has the lowest population, with a deviation of almost 11% from the ideal population. Additionally, District 3 falls outside of the 5% deviation rule (see table below).

Based on the 2020 Census data, the Board of County Commissioners on August 23^rd, 2021, adopted a resolution to authorize staff to initiate the redrawing of the Board’s voter districts.

Moving Forward

On August 23^rd, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution to proceed with redistricting. In addition, the Board adopted the following Working Assumptions that are being used to prepare draft redistricting map(s).

Click here to view BCC Resolution to Proceed (Adopted August 23^rd, 2021)
08/23/2021 Power Point Presentation PDF

Primary

• Continuous Boundaries as Required by G.S. § 153A-22(c)
• Compliance with Equal Protection Clause of US Constitution (One Person One Vote)
• Compliance with Section 2 of Voting Rights Act
  • Minority Voting Strength Not Diluted

Secondary

• Protection of Incumbents
• Development of Compact Districts 
• Use of Existing Voter District and Precinct Boundaries When Possible and Practicable

Timeline

August 23rd - September 7th

• Develop Staff Recommended Redistricting Plan for BCC Review

 September 13th 

• BCC Meeting – Present Recommended Redistricting Plan (Power Point Presentation PDF)
• Set September 27th Public Hearing Date

 September 13th - September 21st 

• Meet w/ BCC members in Small Groups
• Make Recommended Adjustments to Proposed Plan

 September 27th  

• BCC Meeting - Present Recommended Plan Revisions
• Hold Public Hearing
• Set October 18th Public Hearing Date

 October 18th 

• BCC Meeting – Present Final Redistricting Plan(s)
• Hold Public Hearing

 November 1st 

• BCC Meeting – Consider Adoption of 2021 Redistricting Plan

 November 15th 

• BCC Meeting - Alternate Adoption Date

 November 17th 

• Date of conclusion for Redistricting Process
• Allows 150 Days Before Primaries

Action Taken

On September 13^th, 2021, staff presented the 9/13 draft redistricting plan.

Click here to view BCC DRAFT PLAN 9/13

09/13/2021 Power Point Presentation PDF

On September 27^th, 2021, staff presented the 9/13 draft redistricting plan and held the first public hearing for the redistricting process. The BCC directed staff to prepare a 9/27 draft redistricting plan that includes changes suggested by the Commissioners.

Click here to view BCC DRAFT PLAN 9/27

09/27/2021 Power Point Presentation PDF

09/27/2021 Public Hearing Notice

On October 18th, 2021, staff presented the 9/27 draft redistricting plan and held the second public hearing for the redistricting process.  The BCC adopted the 9/27 draft redistricting plan.

10/18/2021 Power Point Presentation PDF

10/18/2021 Public Hearing Notice

On November 1, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to prepare additional voter redistricting maps. Based on public input, the Board requested plans that would minimize voter precinct splits and consolidate the Town of Winterville into one Commissioner District.

11/01/2021 Power Point Presentation PDF

On November 15, 2021, staff presented plans 9/27, 11/1-C, 11/1-D and 11/1-E.  The Board of County Commissioners adopted Voter Redistricting Plan 11/1-E (map and resolution).  This plan minimizes voter precinct splits and mostly consolidates the Town of Winterville into one Commissioner District. 

11/15/2021 Power Point Presentation PDF

11/15/2021 Public Hearing Notice

Redistricting Plan Map 11/1-E (Adopted on 11/15/2021)
Countywide Map
Blow-Up Map

Recorded Resolution for Map 11/1-E (Adopted on 11/15/2021)