Ferriday redistricting under review by DOJ

Published 12:08 am Wednesday, January 18, 2012

FERRIDAY — The redistricting plan for the town of Ferriday that halted aldermen candidates from qualifying for the spring ballot is being reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The attorney general has until Feb. 21 to make a decision or inform the jurisdiction that the date will be modified.

The Justice Department has 60 days from the date of submission to either send a letter of no objection or request additional information.

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If there is no objection, the aldermen elections could be slated for a Nov. 6 primary with a general election on Dec. 1.

The plan is under review because the town failed to submit its redistricting plan in time for U.S. Justice approval for the previous election cycle.

Oliver Schulz of Oliver Schulz & Associates in Monroe, who handled the redistricting plans for both Ferriday and Vidalia, said he doesn’t foresee any issues with the plan getting approved.

“It’s pretty cut and dry, and there’s nothing controversial about the Ferriday plan at all,” Schulz said. “I don’t anticipate any problems.”

The major change takes an area in District A, located around Bateman Avenue and Lake Drive, and moves it to District C.

Another change takes an area in District C, located around South Fifth St., and moves it to District D.

Districts B and E had no changes.