Only one map remains: Manatee County narrows redistricting options ahead of vote

Redistricting efforts in Manatee County are nearing an end, and one map will be considered for final approval next week.

Despite criticism that the changes water down minority voting power, commissioners Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse, James Satcher, and Kevin Van Ostenbridge advanced a slightly amended Map B, which splits Palmetto and Bradenton.

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The map makes District 1 into the county's designated agricultural district and District 3 into the county's coastal district.

It also divides the county's urban core into two districts by adding a significant portion of Bradenton into District 3 at Kruse's suggestion. He said the cities each should have a commissioner representing them, rather than the core of both under District 2.

Tuesday's vote slightly tweaked Map B to include more coastline in District 1.

The map has drawn opposition from board members who claimed it was less legally defensible than other options and that it was drawn with political motivations in mind.

Some commissioners also say the map waters down District 2's minority population.

A visibly demoralized Reggie Bellamy, who aimed to keep the urban core entirely in District 2, initially canceled a planned town hall with constituents to discuss redistricting but decided to host it anyway on Wednesday.

“My intent was to get the information out there... and have District 2 members look at the options and then attempt to rally behind those options,” Bellamy said. “We don't have those options anymore.”

County Attorney Will Clague, and attorney Andy Bardos, hired as a third-party attorney to help with redistricting, said they are confident the draft map is defensible in court.

The most up-to-date versions of redistricting maps can be viewed on the county's website.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County narrows redistricting options, only one map remains