St. Mary's County, MD Redistricting Board for St. Mary's County, 31 Aug 2021

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From YouTube: 8/31/21 Redistricting Board for St. Mary's County

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A

Bring the redistricting meeting to adjourn or we're going to do it. My name is rich.

A

Johnson, I'm the chair of this committee and I will do a roll call to my left. Mount bergen.

B

Pat richardson to my right paul thompson and we don't have anyone on zoom. So that's just us! We.

A

Have a quorum so we're good. um First thing we have to approve are the minutes. I did have one change.

A

Of the minutes that had us starting at 6 30 and ending at 6 30, so that's impossible, so they're.

A

Gonna they're going to fix that you have to prove the agenda. First. Okay, you wanna! Do the agenda.

A

First, okay: the agenda I mean I looked at, it, looks fine. Anyone have any questions about the agenda or.

A

Not move to accept the agenda as provided. Okay. Do I hear a second second, all those in favor say aye.

A

Aye, all those opposed, say, nay, uh the eyes have it motion carries uh now we're gonna go.

A

The minutes and, like I said the start time you got to fix that to like, I guess, 5 30 by 6 30.

A

Other than that, the content is, I saw, it was okay, anybody else have any questions on the minutes.

C

Like to move to approve the minutes from last meeting with that correction of start.

A

Time is there a second all, those in favor say aye, aye aye, all those opposed, say, nay,.

A

The eyes have, it motion carries we're going to go with the agenda and my favorite I.t.

A

So I guess you have the floor. Okay well, good evening.

D

All of you should have received an email from me, probably about half an hour ago, 20 minutes.

D

Half hour ago um that had the link to your uh personal redistricting map, along with.

D

Credentials to access uh that, and what I'll be demoing um to this evening is a version of that.

D

Map that looks identical to each of yours and show you how to operate that so that you each can take.

D

The next two weeks to personally uh play around move census, blocks, precincts, etc between districts.

D

See what the resulting population and registered voters number numbers look like.

D

And do with that, as you wish so I'll start off by saying, I've tried to very streamline this.

D

So that it's very user friendly, that being said, this is general web mapping software. It is not.

D

Specifically made for this redistricting task, so there are a few small quirks, but.

D

I think you'll find it relatively easy to easy to work with and and get your numbers.

D

And then a few things about the numbers before we get started so you'll see and I'll go ahead.

D

And click on a block here, so you can see we have for you total population, as well as the population.

D

Over 18, the number of registered voters within that census block um the current district and.

D

You also see your proposed district, so if you change the the district that block is assigned to.

D

You'll see that new number that you assigned here but you'll always be able to see what, under the.

D

Current district lines are what what that block is now the the census released. They actually ended up.

D

Releasing early, I think it was august 12th, I think they promised august 18th and they released august.

D

12Th the state took that data and also the what was released by the census is a very, very um I.t.

D

Heavy um not user-friendly uh version of the data. The state uh thankfully took that um and was able.

D

To process that and put that out into a very easy format that we could get loaded into the maps.

D

That saved our department, a lot of work going through that, and so these are the uh the total.

D

Population population over 18 are the 2020 census as released just a few weeks ago. That being said,.

D

Legally from what I've read online, the from the state is that these numbers are not.

D

The final numbers that can be officially used for redistricting the state is planning on releasing.

D

During the first week of september, the adjusted numbers which take into account group housing.

D

Which is specifically jails and some other, I think health facilities and that type of stuff.

D

Where the state has more information than the federal government does on current numbers, so I'm.

D

Hoping that the state will release that, as they say sometime the first week of september and to be.

D

Able to push those adjusted numbers into this map for you in time for the next meeting in two weeks.

D

Time and the moment that happens, I will be able to send out an email to let you know that those.

D

Numbers are now updated for the vast majority of the census blocks. I predict that it will have zero.

D

Change on the numbers, as I said, it's it's group facilities, mostly jails, and I think some larger.

D

Like retirement homes, that type of thing so there's probably only a few census blocks that.

D

Will have a change due to that, but before any official proclamation or a decision can be made.

D

Those numbers have to be put out by the state. The uh also there will be an uh forthcoming.

D

Change also to the registered voters number the uh numbers that we're working here for registered.

D

Voters came from the election board, probably about six months ago, and just yesterday I got a new.

D

Voters list from them and it should add about 6 000, registered voters across the county.

D

From these current numbers- and I hope to have those numbers updated for you by this friday-.

D

Once again, I'll send out an email, but you do have the updated voter list of the.

D

I I have it it's not reflected in so you just have to integrate it into this. Yes, okay, yeah. We have.

D

um Some further tweaks to do um uh just making sure it aligns with our uh uh gis based address.

D

Official address list for the county that allows us to know where these addresses are.

D

And place them in the correct block, so we just have some some work to uh to get those.

D

Checked and merged and anticipating having those updated numbers for you by friday. That being said,.

D

You know this reflects about 75 000 registered voters. The new list is about 80.

D

000 registered voters, so these registered voters numbers will probably they will change, but.

D

Not by a great degree, no more than probably five or six percent, and it should be relatively even.

D

Across the board um across the county, so so those are the caveats, but these numbers should be very.

D

Close and very good for you to start looking at and start developing, you know ideas and plans. So.

D

um So with that I'll um I'll walk through uh how to use this map so by default, when you come into.

D

The map there are two layers turned on um and up here we have our layer list. You have some other.

D

Layers, you would ask for polling places. I see you changed that too. I saw the pulling places. That's.

A

Good yeah, I saw you, I saw the original where they had like separate. They had two blocks of.

A

What was it? It was the senses overlay. So I guess you had one with the actual mapping. The other.

A

One had the actual data where you actually go in and get that blocked data, so yeah. um So there's.

D

uh As I said so right now, I'm gonna turn off. So if I turn off the um the block groups, you can see.

D

This this is the this maps. What the commissioner districts currently are the the legal lines as.

D

They stand right now if I turn that off and turn on your commissioner district edit. This is the.

D

Layer that you will edit and make changes to in order to determine new population numbers.

D

You'll see that each individual census block has been symbolized based on its current district.

D

And so, if I turn on the legal lines, you'll see that they match, you know very very closely. The.

D

Idea was to assign each block as best as possible, which district it currently.

D

um Resides in you'll notice that there are a few discrepancies where the current legal line.

D

Cuts through a census block so obviously for now have to choose one district for that block to.

D

Live in and there are four or five of those discrepancies across the county and that's.

D

Something that we will need to address down the line for now. It's it's close enough for.

D

Just you know, working up numbers and and determining what direction you want to head.

D

So the idea is that you will be able to go in here and if you want to.

D

For instance, move this census block, or this group of census blocks from one from district 2, uh say.

D

Into district 4, you can do that and then get a live update of what the population numbers are.

D

So I'll start right before we talk about how you actually make that change these three buttons here.

D

Give you your your your statistics, so we have total population population. I didn't like that.

D

That symbol, population over 18 and registered voters. So if I click total population.

D

You'll see that it pops up here with a with a chart, and I can hover over any one of these. It.

D

Will highlight all the blocks that make up that district and it gives you the total population.

D

So you can see see here, um you know the uh the largest district four currently has three thirty.

D

Three thousand four hundred and forty three people, uh the smallest district, two is twenty.

D

Four thousand five hundred and seventy nine and we can replicate this population greater than 18.

D

Or registered voters, so that gives you your numbers. Okay, so let's demonstrate.

D

Actually changing some some blocks if I zoom in you'll notice that labels turn.

D

On and it gives you the population, the total population of that particular block.

D

Now, unfortunately, as I said, this is one of the quirks you do not have control over what that.

D

Label shows whether it shows total population population over 18 or registered voters.

D

If you would like, if you find those labels helpful, but you would like it to be registered voters or.

D

Something different for your personal map. You can contact me and I can make that change for you.

D

Unfortunately, there's no way for you to change what that label is so the default right now is.

D

That it shows you uh the total population within that block, and that's just for reference. If you.

D

Know that you're trying to decrease or increase a particular district by a certain number of people.

D

This is an easy way for you to maybe visualize before you make that change.

D

What that effect might have for the numbers? Okay, close this layer list, we don't need it right now.

D

So using this button here, this batch attribute editor. I can, and I have. I now have multiple ways.

D

To select blocks, I can draw a line. I can draw a box, I'm going to just use this line tool and.

D

Let's say I want to change all of these census blocks. Sorry, let me grab this one. I can just.

D

Drag a line that touches all the boxes, I want to change, and you can now see that I have highlighted.

D

And turn gray all four of these census blocks and it pops up and says your proposed district.

D

They're currently two: I want to change these, I'm just going to type four.

D

And apparently the split screen is giving me there. We go.

D

My num lock was on I'm going to change that to four and hit save and you'll.

D

See if I close editor, I have now changed and the symbology has changed. Those blocks are now colored.

D

As district number four, and if I come here to a total population chart again, you can.

D

Even see that those uh bars shifted right when we opened it and if we hover over two.

D

Or over four, actually, it might take a second to uh might take a second to update.

D

D

Well, I apologize it's not uh the. um I know the numbers updated, the uh the graphic it.

D

Should be highlighting the entire district, it worked perfectly when I was testing earlier.

D

I will double check that, but it has updated the the numbers we were at.

D

A higher number for four and a lower number for.

D

Two I'm just going to reopen this: that functionality exists.

C

In the link you gave me so that functionality exists, that update. Where does the full highlight.

C

Does work on this computer, so, oh okay, so it must just be something with this particular.

D

Thank you um browser, I'm not sure why it's not um doing the correct the correct highlight on here.

D

Here, it's working on this other one for population greater than 18.

D

We can see that it's it's now highlighting the correct the correct districts, hopefully.

D

All won't have that issue. I think there's just a slight slight bug for some reason. With these.

D

And by having this always having on the district, the current legal.

D

District lines, you can easily visualize what you've changed and how you've extended.

D

Extended a district now and gotten those new numbers and if you decide you want to take that.

D

Back once again, another quirk, I am able to unable to provide you a reset button that will take it.

D

Exactly back, which I know is something you asked for and I looked into and I could not.

D

Find a way to provide that, but is that it should be relatively hopefully relatively easy to go and.

D

Reselect those we're going to take this back to 2 and hit save and then close close your editing.

D

um And so in this way you can go down all the way down to the you know, individual blocks, moving.

D

And get your new um your new population totals now. There is a slightly more advanced way if you want.

D

To move um an entire precinct from one district to another, and you want to make an easier rather than.

D

Having to select the individual ones, I do have a layer, current election precincts and you can see.

D

How those are outlined so, let's say I wanted to move precinct 0601.

D

From district 2 to district 4. in my in my editing, I'm just going to move this over, so we can see.

D

um I can click this this edit, which opens up a a filter function like I said this is a little.

D

Little more advanced, whether or not you want to use this or not, but I wanted to show you.

D

So we can create an expression and we can say we want only the precinct. That is.

D

I'm going to select unique numbers and then give the drop down, and it will give me the list of.

D

Precincts and of course, I don't remember which one I, which one I said, 06001.

D

And hit ok and you'll see that it has now filtered the map to be only the blocks which.

D

Are part of that precinct, which now makes it very easy I can take my box and without have.

D

Worrying about whether I'm I'm getting extra extra blocks or not, I can select all of them at once.

D

Move them to four, and as soon as I clear and close, the editing, I've now moved.

D

All the blocks that make up that precinct from the one district to the other and.

D

And we can see we've and this now it's no. It's still not working for some reason on this one.

D

But we can, uh we can see that the uh the charts uh adjusted uh the population uh this one is this one.

D

Is highlighting correctly um and is giving us our new population totals so um hopefully that.

D

Makes sense to everybody, um you know I'm available if you have technical.

D

Difficulties um or or issues I'm certainly available during regular business hours to.

D

Assist and make sure that things are, things are working right, but I've tried to make it as user.

D

Friendly as possible to be able to to go in and play with these numbers and and and get them so do.

D

You have any any questions or anything else you'd like me to demonstrate or demonstrate again. I have.

A

A question anybody else have questions, or maybe my questions would generate other questions. I just.

A

Have one, but by all means, go ahead. um So, let's see so you show me how to remove stuff. That's good.

A

I notice that when you hit some of the individual blocks and you see the voters greater than 18.

A

Then you have the eligible or registered voters. So a lot of times. You would you'd see a difference.

A

You'd actually see more registered voters than there are people growing greater than 18. It's.

A

Probably because of people that are 18. and the people that are 17, that can vote in the primary.

A

Provided on the general they're 18 before or on that day, is there any way.

A

To get that data order, just equal to 18 or just to show that the numbers jive together as far as if.

D

The registered voters is greater than the number than the well over. The registered voters should.

A

Always be, you know at least max equal to the eligible you know unless they didn't register.

A

So there's for eligibility. You know you can be 17 vote in primary, but you provided you're 18. I see.

D

What you're saying so from the elections board? If we know that somebody has registered at 17 early.

D

That would be a a reason for the description I was just. I was just clicking around. I saw a lot.

A

Of those where the numbers were different and big time where you know you had yeah, so I have one up.

D

On the screen, right now, where registered voters is 502 and population greater than 18 is 498.

D

As you say, you know, 17 year olds can register um correct, which right which could be provide.

D

Some of the reason for the for the discrepancy right, that's why I figured it was yeah, so I.

A

Don't know if you can get to that data, I I don't know elections would have to. I don't know that.

D

They you get at least equal to and greater than 18. At least that would get a little bit closer.

D

um Oh as far as registered voters that are yeah, I mean if, if you have at least 18.

D

I don't know if that data, I don't know if election board collects that or if that's available um in.

D

The data they have given me there's no age of the voter, so that would be something that will.

D

Have to be directed to the to the elections board? Okay, so that was just. I was just seeing that the.

A

Difference also keep in mind that the census tally is an estimate um they they produce.

D

Statistical, you know, analysis that give a you know a range. This is only a median.

D

uh Range, this number represents technically a 90 chance. They they give a a.

D

I'm blanking on the term, but basically a range of possible error so um and that can that they.

D

Produce that range per census block- um and I don't know that they have published that data yet um so.

D

Keep in mind in this case 498 that has a magnitude of error possibility. So you know it could be.

D

512., while you're on that block, hit the three dots on the right and view the attribute table.

A

So which basically replicates the same data, that's in the block is there any way to.

A

The table seems very fixed. You can't move it around.

A

And how would you close that table other than I mean you could push it all the way down, but.

A

It doesn't go away, yeah, there's always this little right, a little still. There.

A

Yeah and the other thing is that table will not like, if you go to another.

A

Area, it's not going to update until you tell it to show that table, so it will actually have the.

A

Prior data of the prior area that you looked at so just for us to be aware until you update it.

D

um I can play with some um with some settings on the uh on the table and try to make that.

D

Even a little more useful as well make it more to where you are, then that will update right away. Yes,.

D

I have not played with any of the settings for for the attribute table, so that is a that is a good point. I will get those more useful. I can also add a.

D

A select tool so that you can select blocks and then, when you open the attribute table.

D

You'll see the information for all those blocks that you've selected, so that you'll have a little.

D

More control over that table, so, yes, I can. I can make some improvements there, okay and as we're.

A

Moving stuff around in and out of districts, commissioner districts.

A

On the graphical where it shows the population we're supposed to shoot for about 10 between.

A

Can you, somewhere in there flag it if we're getting outside that window.

A

Of um I don't know that I can flag it. I can right now it only shows actual numbers.

D

Right, I believe I can make it so that it also would show a percentage um so that way it may.

D

Be a little easier to you know the data is there, you should I mean you should be able. You know if.

A

This district one and district two, you start moving stuff. One's gonna, lose one's gonna gain.

A

So you know, did we just exceed you know if you move five percent from one to the other? That's.

A

Ten percent so yeah yeah- I just don't know that I can. I don't have a trigger that would.

A

Put that in the back of your mind, something you're, an I.t guy, you'll, probably figure it out.

B

Can I go back to your first question just just to ask so many questions which one follow up.

B

About the um age or the the greater than 18, the seven and then also uh so that's a little chance.

B

Of standard error of measurement, but then the 90 that the census uh gives as accuracy, I think, was.

B

The number that you quoted percentage you quoted when the adjusted numbers come back.

B

Will they clearly state that this represents a 90 accuracy or whatever it may be quality of the data.

D

um So the the the accuracy um numbers are published directly by the census.

D

The tweaked data will be tweaked by the state. I do not know that they will.

D

um I don't believe that I think I can. I can note which blocks have had their population.

D

Changed by the state from the original census, but I don't know if the state will publish their own.

D

Accuracy numbers to go along with that, so to me I mean I I'm just really curious about.

B

Is it 90 or is it less than that, in which case we would feel less confident.

B

About our numbers, is it plus or minus? um I can try to find the um the census.

D

Publishes separate tables that have for every, I believe, for every single block, their confidence.

D

Level in that number, um if, like I said, I don't know if they have published that or not, I can try.

D

To find if they have it and if they can, if they have, I can add it in here, so that we can have a.

D

uh You know for if you go click on this block, we have an additional line that.

D

Says confidence level of and however, they express that in some meaningful way, um yeah.

A

Good didn't mean to that's fine, we're supposed to ask questions.

A

So again, when you hit that block- and you see all the stuff in the area, uh this is just a minor you.

A

Could probably fix it, so if you hit zoom two we'll hit zoom two, I did okay, let me try a different one.

A

Okay, can you zoom back out or do you have to just pull back by yourself with the mouse.

A

um I'm pulling back with the with the roll, no like zoom back, there's no zoom back. I can um I.

D

Can add the I have the option of adding buttons over here that are forward and backwards of your.

D

Views so you could come back here and hit back and it would step you back through all the views that.

D

You've had okay, but no there is no zoom back out button. So that's all I got right now. So if anyone.

A

You had a question two questions and a comment, such recommendation so two-part question.

C

As we draft these potential uh realignments, is there a way to socialize these drafts with the.

C

Rest of the board, and then if we are able to do that, is that permissible outside of a formal form.

A

He's talking about the quorum so that I think, if we just send you like I've, been.

A

Doing recommendations you can disseminate to do that. That would be my suggestion right. So.

E

Yeah anytime, that you're sharing, especially in a reply all setting right, uh would be considered a.

E

Meeting so our recommendation would be send to diane it's sent to diane and she'll disseminate.

A

Him so we don't also copy sharon ferris, just in case I'm not in the office. Okay,.

E

Thank you amy, so please also so send everything to diane and also cc sharon ferris.

E

Ferris wheel so like that type of spelling and then so to dr richardson and.

E

Chairman johnson's question: are you looking for uh the numbers of eligible voters, because that.

E

Would be the greater than or equal to 18 numbers? Well, no plus, you also have the 17 year old, so.

E

Are saying so? They would include because they would be eligible to vote right so yeah that.

A

Would be a good number I think to get, but I don't know if I can exist yeah. I don't know.

E

So that was just if he can find it great it just it just brings those numbers closer to.

A

The differences when you see registered voters, yeah and I'll talk to the elections board about.

D

Why I'm not sure what they store? Okay! Thank you. No, that answers it. Thank you so much.

C

And then, with respect to an easy way is where, let's just say, you know, manipulating the.

C

These prospective districts so, given this data set total population of 113 777, uh you know.

C

Ideal, even distribution amongst four is twenty eight four, four: four, with a ten percent variance.

C

High is twenty nine, eight, six six, so on this total population tab are you able to draw just you know.

C

Add an additional line at the high parameter of around 29 800 and then a low parameter of.

C

27 or 29 000 and twenty seven thousand, so we could see that deviation a lot easier.

A

As we're manipulating the bars sort of like I said, like yeah, ten percent, you know get the mean.

A

Overall right, so the addition of uh of just a couple dotted lines or a colored line flat line.

C

That shows you. If we can get all of these in that respective bar, then it should make it relatively.

C

Easy as we're clicking around that's a great idea, I do not know if I can do that or not okay,.

A

The mean and plus or minus five percent, if now I'll, just get a dry erase marker and draw it on my.

C

Life yeah right so getting back to what you were just talking about. So when we do all these changes.

A

Let's say my friend mr thompson over here: he gets a great idea. He wants to save it. Can we save our.

A

Changes in a file or name it or or do we have to write it down in a book there. uh There is a.

D

There is a print function that will let you export a pdf view of what what you have.

D

But no, there is not a there's not like a save restore to this moment or send this file for.

D

Somebody else it's um yeah, it's unfortunately not set up um for being able to to do that.

D

So nothing is saved, then well we're just we're just modifying it live and then you're just.

F

Modifying it live and when you make a okay change and hit save it's now, the new and there's no.

D

There's no way to go back, um it's always just uh um so yeah yeah. Unfortunately, the answer is to.

D

Take screenshots screen print the pdf take notes, get your color printer. It's um unfortunate. There.

D

There there are 100 redistricting solutions that um you know out there by third-party companies.

D

You know, and maybe that's something that could be looked at for the next redistricting.

D

uh Down the road, um unfortunately, at the moment, have to work with what uh what we.

D

Already have and is available so understanding that when we go to share these with each other.

F

Even like in a meeting setting, how would we do that? I mean, obviously I can print out this.

F

Pdf, what could we do like? Could we even look at? Let's say we want to get a.

F

Example, map loaded up and then possibly manipulate it within this setting, because we.

F

Think we're close we're just trying to adjust a few things. Could we support that? um I mean.

D

I'm anticipating being present at the future meetings and um if, if members had different.

D

Versions that they wanted to pre-set up and have ready.

D

That's something that could be given to me and I could create them and have them.

D

Ready ready to go and then we can manipulate them on the fly um you know and and discuss.

D

You know, if that's um something I understand it's, not it's not ideal, but.

D

But uh but yes, we can. We can uh live time during the meetings, if, if you would like to all right so.

A

I'm thinking, if you get a pretty good solution, you know you could have you know your graph up there.

A

You could have what you changed, you could take a snapshot, paste it in a powerpoint and then you can.

A

Put arrows what you just did for hey this, this change may work that'd be one way to do it. Just.

A

Do a snapshot, put your you know, take it in mat, you know just paste it into uh powerpoint.

A

Yeah, I understand I'm just trying to get it get a feel for the workflow yeah like.

A

We're working around what we'd like so I mean. Theoretically, we could all make our own draft that.

C

Hits it within you know two percent deviation sure, but they're all going to be unique. So then.

C

We can discuss them all the problem cons of each one. You know if we just remove a voting area.

A

That where people have to go and actually vote, that's why I got all the stars in there too.

A

So I think that's all I got um anybody else. Have any other questions or one more thing that the.

F

Two adjustments you mentioned for the final census data and for the uh registered voters.

F

Those are the last two changes that we'll have them aware of. Yes, okay,.

A

And I guess we'll be getting some of that near the end of the week.

A

Yes registered voters, uh you should have by friday right um and then the the tweak from the state.

D

On the group housing the first week of september, yeah they've, they just say first week of september.

D

So I don't know when exactly that would be I'm also on vacation next week. So.

D

If they release it next week, uh I'm I'm hoping you know the the monday before the next meeting.

D

To be able to if the state has released them to be able to roll them in.

D

For you, okay, so um I'm sure we'll generate more questions as we dig into this software.

A

And either we can go straight to you guys or straight to I t: do you have a preference or.

A

Or maybe we'll just go to diane, so at least you can get the information, then that's disseminate.

A

Maybe what they found or had a question about so if someone raises a question.

B

We send it to diane and then can that question and response be sent to all of us.

B

Or is that an open meetings issue? Do you mean a question from our department while people are.

B

Playing it's the quorum, so of course, so that you know we can't email each other, because that.

A

In an email, because that would break the quorum freedom, you know meetings act so in order to at.

A

Least, be able to talk to people like ourselves, we'll talk to diane and sharon sharon and then.

A

We'll get whether it's an I.t question or whatever it is, and then we can disseminate the answer.

A

Or the question and the answer to everybody so we're all still talking to each other in a way.

A

And not violating any rules in a sense: okay, so you're the legal person. So I saw a head.

A

So that's a good thing seems fair uh and if there are any problems we'll let you know.

E

Right so yeah, it's all recorded we're doing that. So if anybody wants to look at they can't.

A

So I think we're good, so any other questions or we're all good. um Anyone would like the motion to.

A

Adjourn the meeting I moved to it you're in the meeting we'll second that motion second.

A

All in favor say aye the eyes have it any nays. There's no nace so meeting adjourn forever.

A