Dallas Redistricting Commission sends new City Council map to mayor for review

The Dallas Redistricting Commission has voted to send a new map to Mayor Eric Johnson and City Council for approval or amendments.

The commission continued to refine a final map for recommendation over more than five hours May 10 inside the council chambers at 1500 Marilla St. The meeting followed a roughly eight-hour meeting May 9.

Work to narrow down several potential maps has occurred over the course of several weeks. The maps were narrowed down to two options April 25, and amendments were discussed and implemented May 2. A public hearing was held May 7.

Commission Chair Jesse D. Oliver said an effort to gather input from as many Dallas residents as possible was put forward but added it is impossible to reach everyone.

“I accepted this role with the goal of being fair and unbiased trying to lead the organization,” Oliver said of his time on the redistricting commission.

New council district maps are drawn every 10 years after census numbers are released.

Council members must adopt or modify and adopt the map, according to the Dallas charter. The redistricting commission’s plan becomes final if action is not taken within 45 days, and the new boundaries will go into effect for the May 2023 council election.

A full analysis of the submitted map can be viewed here.

Jackson King and Joe Warner contributed to this report.