Nye County redistricting committee members sought

The COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping across America early last year and in its wake came a host of changes but what was then termed “the novel coronavirus” was not the only major event in 2020 that presaged a bevy of change for the country.

The 2020 census also took place amid the public health crisis and though the pandemic may have overshadowed the census somewhat, workers with the U.S. Census Bureau were nonetheless able to successfully engage in the nationwide process mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Now, the population counts from the 2020 census are officially in and the redistricting of elected district boundaries can begin.

One of the most important results of the decennial census is the effect it will have on political representation, with the district boundaries for everything from members of Congress down to local school boards to be scrutinized and adjusted to account for any population shifts that might have been identified by the 2020 census.

Right here in Nye County, the borders of the Nye County Commission districts one through five and the Nye County School District Board of Trustees areas I through VII are set to see some alteration. In order to facilitate that process, Nye County is now actively seeking members for a committee focused solely on the redistricting effort.

“The Nye County Board of County Commissioners is accepting applications for 11 members to be appointed to the Redistricting Advisory Committee,” an announcement from Nye County reads. “The committee will be responsible for redistricting Nye County according to the 2020 census results.”

Due to the delay in the release of the 2020 census results, Nye County is running up against a deadline, as the new district boundaries must be redrawn in time for the next election.

Therefore, commissioners are looking to have the committee member seats filled as quickly as possible and those interested in applying for a seat only have a few days to get their application in.

All applications must be submitted no later than noon on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Applications can be obtained by visiting the Nye County Administration Office at 2100 E. Walt Williams Drive in Pahrump or 101 Radar Road in Tonopah. They can also be obtained by emailing nyeadmin@co.nye.nv.us or by calling 775-751-7075.

Of the 11 members, the county is looking for one member of the Amargosa Town Board, one member of the Beatty Town Advisory Board, one member of the Round Mountain Town Advisory Board, one member of the Tonopah Town Board, three people who are residents of Pahrump, two who are residents of an area of Nye County other than Pahrump and one member of the Nye County School District. Nye County Clerk Sam Merlino, who has participated in census redistricting in the past and is quite familiar with the process, will also be a part of the committee.

The new districts will go into effect next year and local voters will want to be sure to check whether their district has changed at all as a result of the redistricting, as the 2022 election cycle will include elections for both Nye County commissioners and Nye County School Board members.

Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com