FERRIDAY — The redistricting plan for the Town of Ferriday that halted aldermen from qualifying on the spring ballot has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Oliver Schulz of Oliver Schulz & Associates in Monroe, who handled the redistricting plans for both Ferriday and Vidalia, received the letter from the Department of Justice earlier this week.

The letter simply stated that the “Attorney General does not interpose any objections at this time.”

Population shifts reflected in census numbers from 2010 require redistricting.

According to census figures, Ferriday’s population totals 3,511.

Of that population, 2,928 or 83.4 percent are black, 541 or 15.41 percent are white and 42 or 1.19 percent are listed as “other.”

While the redistricting plan didn’t involve major changes, Schulz said the tardiness was attributed to a delay in the process of submitting all the paperwork.

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.

With the redistricting plan approved, Schulz said the aldermen elections could be slated for a Nov. 6 primary with a general election on Dec. 1.

Ferriday will have mayoral elections on March 24.