SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The State Senate has replied to an ABC 4 report that pointed out nearly a dozen homes are split by the new redistricting lines.
The
senate posted an article on the senatesite.com website with their response to
Chris Vanocur's story on the new redistricting plan.
The senate posted six points on how the split homes occurred and why it is not an issue.
1. Legislatures use U.S. Census blocks to build redistricting maps. We don’t create them. We don’t modify them.
2. In U.S. Census data, every residence is assigned to a census block. When you create a mashup of multiple data sets (census block info superimposed on aerial photo maps, for example), there may be some variance between lines on the ground, and lines on the map. A few homes will appear to be divided between districts.
3. SB 3005 which passed unanimously, prior to the congressional map provides a fix, if/when needed.
4. SB 3005 (text here) gives the Lt. Governor authority to review the relevant data to determine the district in which each home lies. It’s not tough to do. Local officials will conduct elections based on the LG’s determination.
5. This situation is not a mistake. It is has nothing to do with haste or lack thereof. It has nothing to do with caucus meetings or any of the other partisan accusations floating around. This is just another redistricting reality that we anticipated and dealt with ahead of time.
6. In Utah there are only eight areas where homes appear to be divided between districts. Three of the eight areas are where the new congressional district follows a county line.
