Redistricting and Reprecincting

Posted Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at 2:28 PM

In the world of politics, 2012 will be a huge year.

Many high-profile positions are up for grabs, with the biggest being President of the United States.

With that, and the 2010 census in mind, county voter registration offices throughout the state have been in a frenzy the past few months to make the necessary updates to voter precincts and districts in preparation for the upcoming elections.

For Clay County, the recent redistricting did not change the representative landscape too much.

The entire county remains in the United States 8th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Larry Bucshon.

However, there have been some district changes for the State Senate and Representative seats.

In the State Senate, Clay County now is split between District 38 (Tim Skinner) and District 39 (John Waterman), while State Representatives for the county are now in District 42 (Dale Grubb), District 44 (Jim Baird) and District 46 (Bob Heaton). A full breakdown of the representation in Clay County will be available at the end of this blog.

On the local level, no changes were made to the Clay County Commissioner and Council districts, but there are some new voters within the City of Brazil.

Due to annexation in late 2009, some voters within the Brazil 5 precinct (which does not vote in the city elections) are now officially in the precincts of Brazil 1, Brazil 3 or Brazil 6.

The following is a breakdown of the addresses affected and their new precincts:

* Brazil 1 - Votes at Brazil City Hall

111-297 N. Murphy Ave. (odd numbers only),

* Brazil 3 - Votes at Cooper Towers

924 S. Walnut St., and

923 and 925 S. Forest Ave., and

* Brazil 6 - Votes at Central West Village Community Building

1009 W. Hendrix St.,

1121 and 1127 W. Deer Creek Dr.,

908-1030 W. Central Ave. (even numbers only), and

1001-1031 W. White Tail Ct.

Voters at these addresses should receive a new voter registration acknowledgment card within the next couple of weeks, which indicates their new polling places.

With this upcoming year being a big one, more voters will be expected at the polls. If you have moved recently, make sure to update your address with the Clay County Voter Registration Office.

This may be done by filling out a new voter registration form when renewing your driver's license at a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles, online at www.IndianaVoters.com or by visiting the office, which is located on the second floor of the Clay County Courthouse.

BREAKDOWN OF CLAY COUNTY REDISTRICTING CHANGES BY PRECINCT

UNITED STATES CONGRESS

No changes made

INDIANA SENATE

* Moving from District 37 to District 38 (Tim Skinner)

Brazil 1-6

Cass

Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson (NV)

Jackson 1-3

Posey 1-3

Van Buren 1-3