Commissioners Draft Letter on Redistricting

County Commissioners from Sheridan and Johnson Counties have approved sending a letter to the Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee concerning redistricting in the state.

An informational public meeting on Region #5 redistricting was held in Sheridan last Wednesday evening, and from that meeting the commissioners decided to draft and send the letter voicing their concerns.

The letter, in essence, specified their concerns with the “62-31” redistricting map which would affect both Sheridan and Johnson Counties by putting Arvada-Clearmont in a Campbell County District.

It also informed the committee that the counties, with the help of their respective county clerks, had drawn their own map which addressed their concerns while still meeting the redistricting guidelines.

A copy of the letter is posted below.

The legislative session, which will include redistricting arguments, begins Monday, February 14.

The letter:

February 10, 2022

Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee

Wyoming Legislature

200 West 24^th Street

Cheyenne, WY 82002

Re: Redistricting Map for Region Five

Dear Chairmen Driskill and Zwonitzer:

We write to you today to share our grave concerns about the “62-31” redistricting map that will dramatically alter representation in Redistricting Region 5, Johnson and Sheridan Counties. Sheridan and Johnson Counties came together to prepare a very balanced recommendation that met the spirit of the redistricting guidelines while addressing specific concerns laid out by our respective County Clerks.

Specifically, the new plan disenfranchises the residents of Arvada-Clearmont by locating them in a majority Campbell County District and creates up to 15 split precincts for legislative representation. Our county clerks worked to eliminate all split precincts under the legislative map we proposed which would greatly improve the administration of primary and general elections. Our map stayed within the population deviations and tried to follow historic and geographic boundaries despite an increase in population in Redistricting Region 5.

Sheridan and Johnson Counties request that you abandon the 62-31 redistricting map and endorse the proposal from Senator Charles Scott that reflects the recommendations of our constituents and honors the dutiful work of our County Clerks to improve election administration. The Scott proposal is fair, equitable and ensures representation for the residents of Sheridan and Johnson Counties.

Sincerely,

William J. Novotny, III Johnson County Commission Chairman

Lonnie Wright, Sheridan County Commission Chairman

Linda Greenough and Robert Perry, Johnson County Commissioners

Terry Cram, Tom Ringley, Nick Siddle, Christi Haswell, Sheridan County Comissioners

Cc: Wyoming County Commissioners Association: Senators Kinskey and Biteman: Representatives Crago, Kinner, Western, and Jennings