Reapportionment goes into effect in Whitley County on Wednesday

Changes to Whitley County’s magisterial districts go into effect today, meaning that some area residents will now be represented by a different magistrate and constable moving forward.

The reapportionment of the boundary lines was approved by the Whitley County Fiscal Court earlier this year based on the county’s most recent census data from 2020. Such reapportionment is required by law every 10 years, though it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Magisterial districts are required to represent a roughly equal number of the county’s population and can only vary within a 5 percent margin of one another. Due to that requirement, there will be some minor changes between Districts 1 and 4, though there will be more substantial changes between Districts 1 and 3.

Despite District 3 having the largest district based on land mass, it has the lowest population density of the four districts as the populace in that area has continued to shrink over the years. 

Whitley County Clerk Carolyn Willis, previously told the News Journal that District 3 was “way under population” based on the 2020 census numbers, causing it to fall far outside the 5 percent margin needed.

The reapportionment will impact approximately 700 of the county’s nearly 37,000 residents. The biggest change will be seen in the KY92E area.

Though residents in that area will see their magistrate and constable change, Willis stressed that there will be no precinct changes for voters in those areas.

Willis also noted that anyone who is moved districts due to the reapportionment will receive a letter notifying them of the changes.

The last reapportionment was performed in 2011 following the 2010 census. During that reapportionment, District 3 also had the smallest population size based on census results, which prompted boundary lines to be shifted to make up the difference. At that time, the law only required a 10 percent margin between districts.

The result of the 2011 reapportionment also moved approximately 700 residents.