Redistricting vote delayed

Published On: Nov 27 2012 06:49:39 PM CST   Updated On: Nov 27 2012 06:55:34 PM CST
Shreveport, LA -

The Shreveport city council has delayed its vote on redistricting plans.
The city has to adjust district lines to reflect population changes noted in the 2010 Census. District D has grown in population while most other districts have lost population.

Several citizens voiced their concerns about redistricting Tuesday night, urging the council to consider a plan that would make District B more heavily African American.

"Councilman Everson you represent that district. And, certainly to my understanding, you do a fine job," said Willie Bradford of Shreveport. "But I still believe that the citizens deserve the opportunity to elect somebody who looks like them."

Cartographer Gary Joiner told KTBS he plans to update his latest redistricting model to make District B become about 62 percent African American. Currently District B is about 55 percent African American.

The plan requires council approval and the U.S. Department of Justice must okay the proposal.