The Baltimore County Council will evaluate tweaks to its proposed councilmanic redistricting map Tuesday afternoon, with plans to discuss at least one proposed amendment that aims to boost minority representation on the western side of the county.
Speaking after the launch of his campaign for Baltimore County executive Monday evening, Councilman Izzy Patoka, a Pikesville Democrat, said he planned to introduce an amendment Tuesday that would create three majority African American districts — two true majority districts and one “plurality,” he said.
The changes would create two majority Black districts, each with just over 50% Black populations, as well as a third district with a roughly 45% Black population, Council Chair Mike Ertel, a Towson Democrat, said in a brief interview Monday evening.
“We know it’s not going to make everybody happy, but we’re hoping that it’s at least a choice that we consider,” Ertel said.
The proposal is a slight change from the nine-district plan the council introduced last month, which would create two majority Black districts on the western side of the county focused on Woodlawn and Randallstown.
“The map that we were looking at divided quite a number of communities,” Patoka said.
He believes the change could get five affirmative votes from the council, the number needed to approve a redistricting plan.
“I think this is going to be a historical effort in Baltimore County and great opportunity for women and people of color to gain elected office in Baltimore County,” Patoka said. “It’s the perfect storm of opportunity.”
The amendment is likely to be available for review Tuesday morning ahead of the council’s 4 p.m. work session.
The proposed changes to the map will come just days after Baltimore County officials and residents called for increased transparency in the redistricting process and asked for an updated version of the map sooner than the day of the work session.
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