Ohio town invites public to final redistricting meeting ahead of new ward map

Farah Siddiqi

Nelsonville residents have another chance to shape their city's political map. A final town hall next Monday invites the public to weigh in before a new city council ward map is finalized. The League of Women Voters of Athens County and Ohio will host the fourth and final town hall Monday at the Nelsonville Public Library. Organizers say this is the last step before a proposed ward map goes to the city government.

Debbie Schmieding, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Athens County, said the process has been about education and empowerment.

"It's a real turning point for the city of Nelsonville," she explained. "We're excited. We're excited to help and we're excited to engage citizens for this part of the process, which is of course just a small small piece of the overall governance. But it's a good way to sort of get in on the ground floor."

Nelsonville voters approved a change to the city's form of government in 2023, triggering the need for updated ward boundaries that better reflect population and neighborhoods.

Previous meetings let residents test redistricting software and draft a preliminary map now posted online. Schmieding said the mapping tool makes the process accessible.

"It was terrific," she continued. "I mean, it's like your eyes are opening, going, oh my gosh, a computer program can do this much detail. ... Real people, regular people like you and me can actually fiddle around with it and see what the effects are of creating maps."

The League will present a final ward map to city officials in July. The last town hall is Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nelsonville Public Library.