• Fair representation is critical to our growth

In 1965 Congress passed the Voting Rights Act and the Department of Justice implemented more stringent requirements to ensure that all citizens have the right to vote for fair representation. 

Valdosta and Lowndes County is governed by the Voting Rights Act and we must meet the stringent requirements imposed by the Department Of Justice. And as such, we are required to submit changes in voting districts, among other things, to the Department of Justice for approval before voting can legally take place based on the changes. 

The Lowndes County Commissioners have proposed to expand the commission from three to five members though the formation of two super districts. I support the increase in representation; however, the more I consider the redistricting, the more strongly I am convinced of the fact that the current proposal does not meet the DOJ stringent requirements designed to ensure all citizens the right to vote for fair representation. 

The new super district will not allow county residents, who live in the city, to vote for and elect a representative. More specifically, the districts are not drawn to give county residents, who live in the city, a fair chance at electing a representative. In fact, the new districts continue to dilute the voting strength of county residents, who live in Valdosta, and make up 50 percent of the county’s population. If we seek fair representation, one half of the commission seats should consist of county representatives, who live in the city. County residents, who live in the city, currently have only one representative. 

In fact, the super districts continue to dilute minority voting strength, thus diluting minority representation. I feel that Valdosta is at a point where fair representation is critical to our growth. Over the last five years, we have seen a continued increase in crime which is in significant measure from the growth of our population. Without fair representation, I believe that our children, our families, and our communities will continue to suffer. 

For the record, I am not opposed to the expansion of fair representation, but I am deeply concerned and opposed to the current super district proposal which I believe will do nothing to ensure that county residents, who live in the city, will have a fair chance to vote for and elect representation.

James R. Wright

Valdosta City Council

District 1