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The Washington Parish Council is in the process of redistricting council election districts, following the completion of the 2020 U.S. Census.

The basic purpose of redistricting is to equalize population among electoral districts, after determining whether those local populations have increased or decreased over the past decade.

Late last year, the council approved a seven-member Redistricting Advisory Panel to work with consultant Buddy Jenkins to determine the best plan for redistricting. The panel’s members were Kay Kay Varnado, Seth Descant, Michelle Goode, William Lewis, Brent Jones, Jerome Warren Sr. and Stuart Varnado.

On Nov. 11, 2021, the panel held a public meeting, where Jenkins presented four redistricting proposals. On Dec. 7, 2021, the panel unanimously approved recommending “Redistricting Plan D” to go before the council.

The council strives to be transparent with all citizens of Washington Parish, and will hold a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m., for any questions or concerns about the proposal.

The following are the changes that would occur if Plan D is approved in February:

• All citizens currently in District 1 (currently represented by Joe Culpepper), Ward 4 Precinct 02A (Columbia Street Fire Station) will now be in District 4 (Clark Harry).
• All citizens currently in District 2 (Shawn Rice), Ward 6 Precinct 4 (Plainview Voting Booth) will now be in District 1 (Joe Culpepper).
• All citizens currently in District 3 (Kim Wagner), Ward 4 Precinct 1 (Columbia Street Fire Station) will now be in District 4 (Clark Harry).
• All citizens currently in District 3 (Kim Wagner), Ward 4 Precinct 8 (Lakeview Voting Booth) will now be in District 4 (Clark Harry).
• All citizens currently in District 4 (Clark Harry), Ward 4 Precinct 4-1A (St. Paul A.M.E. Church Hall) will now be in District 3 (Kim Wagner).
• All citizens currently in District 4 (Clark Harry), Ward 5 Precinct 3 (Varnado Fire Station) will now be in District 5 (Rusty Fornea).
• All citizens currently in District 4 (Clark Harry), Ward 7 Precinct 3 (Angie Fire Station) will now be in District 5 (Rusty Fornea).
• All citizens currently in District 5 (Rusty Fornea), Ward 4 Precinct 6 (Senior Citizens Center) will now be in District 3 (Kim Wagner).
• All citizens currently in District 7 (Carly King), Ward 1 Precinct 2 (Bonner Creek Fire Station) will now be in District 2 (Shawn Rice).
• There are no proposed changes in District 6 (Reginald McMasters).