At the Dec. 2 Escambia County Board of County Commissioners Meeting, the board voted to pass the proposed redistricting map. Commissioners are required to review district boundary lines every 10 years following the latest census data. Click here to view the finalized map.
"It is vitally important that we keep up with the growing population of Escambia County, and redrawing the district lines allows us to follow that process," said District 1 Commissioner and Chairman Jeff Bergosh. "The map reunites communities that have been split apart like Myrtle Grove and Perdido Key and supports the growth in Beulah. The board has worked tirelessly to supply a map that is consistent with the redistricting requirements. I want to thank my fellow commissioners as well as the Supervisor of Elections' Office and the Escambia County School Board for their hard work to meet this deadline and make Escambia County the best it can be."
Based on 2020 census data, total population for Escambia County is 321,905, with an ideal population of 64,381 in each district. The total voting age population (VAP) is 258,145. The new map allows for a population of 61,909 in District 1; 66,316 in District 2; 62,652 in District 3; 67,553 in District 4; and 63,475 in District 5. The new district lines will go into effect once the ordinance is received and filed at the Department of State in Tallahassee. The ordinance is required to be received within 10 days of the vote.
The Board of County Commissioners held two special joint meetings with the Escambia County School Board: one on Oct. 5, 2021, and the other on Nov. 2, 2021. At these meetings, the boards discussed potential redistricting plans and allowed for public comment. The BCC then scheduled a Special Board of County Commissioners Meeting on Nov. 9, 2021, where the redistricting discussion continued. A public hearing to adopt the new district boundaries was scheduled for Dec. 2, 2021, at 5:35 p.m.
For more information, please contact Escambia County Community and Media Relations at 850-595-3476 or cmr@myescambia.com. Like and follow Escambia County on Facebook and Twitter.
