Redistricting

This page contains information on the Redistricting that took place in 2022.  In order to find information on the new districts and the 2023 election, please visit  2023 General Election Information .

Background on the redistricting process

In 2016, Fort Worth voters approved an amendment to the City Charter to increase the number of City Councilmembers from nine to 11 following the completion of the 2020 Census. The Task Force on Race and Culture in December 2018 recommended the goal of ensuring that the City Council reflects the diverse communities that it represents.

In August 2020, the City Council appointed a Redistricting Task Force and charged them with “Evaluating the criteria and procedures by which the City Council has redrawn Council district boundaries in the past and, accordingly, advising the City Council about redistricting criteria and procedures that the City Council should use in the future.”

In March 2021, the Redistricting Task Force presented 10 criteria for redistricting. The task force also suggested that software training be provided to residents who are interested in the redistricting process, and that proposed redistricting plans submitted by residents be analyzed and presented to the City Council.

The group urged transparency in the redistricting process by requiring all map drawing to occur at public meetings, with computer screens visible to all parties.

From June – November 2021, training sessions were help throughout the city. Training was provide in-person and through an online video.  All maps submitted by the November 12 deadline are posted online.  Staff also provided an evaluation for each map to identify criteria that was met. 

Task force members

In August 2020, the City Council appointed a Redistricting Task Force and charged them with “Evaluating the criteria and procedures by which the City Council has redrawn Council district boundaries in the past and, accordingly, advising the City Council about redistricting criteria and procedures that the City Council should use in the future.”

Task Force members include:

August 2020 – March 2021

Place 1                  Lorraine Miller (Chair)

Place 2                  Salvador Espino               

Place 3                  Graham Norris                  

Place 4                  Craig Allen                         

Place 5                  Bert Williams                     

Place 6                  Linda Kennedy

Place 7                  Tony DeVito                      

Place 8                  Tracy Scott                         

Place 9                  Kent Bradshaw 

Place 10                Bill Schur

Place 11                Teresa Ayala

In October 2021, the Task Force was once again asked to assist in the redistricting process by serving as the group that would evaluate maps and select a map for public comment and review. Some task force members were no longer able to serve, so new members were appointed.

October 2021 – January 2022

Place 1                  Bill Schur

Place 2                  Sal Espino (Chair)

Place 3                 Graham Norris

Place 4                 Janna Herrera

Place 5                  Bert Williams (Vice Chair)

Place 6                  Linda Kennedy

Place 7                  Tony DeVito

Place 8                  Lucretia Powell

Place 9                 Kent Bradshaw

Place 10               Ossana Hermosillo

Place 11               Dr. Whitnee Boyd 

Please send any questions and comments for the Task Force to FWConnection@fortworthtexas.gov.  

 

 

After months of meetings and public input, the Task Force presented their recommendations to the City Council.

High Priority

1. Approximately equal size: Population of largest district less than or equal to 10% more than population of smallest district.

2. Compliance with the U.S. Constitution, Voting Rights Act, Texas Constitution and other applicable laws, with no packing or minority voters, no fragmentation of minority communities and no retrogression in ability of minorities to participate in electoral process.

3. Create minority opportunity districts, in compliance with federal law, to reflect growing diversity of city. Such districts – in which African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities collectively represent 50% or more of the voting-age population – are intended to create opportunities for fair representation rather than to promote electoral outcomes. Electability is a function of many factors, including candidate qualifications appeal to voters, voting-age population, voter registration and voter participation as well as demographics characteristics.

4. Contain communities of interest in single districts, with community of interest defined as “a local population with shared socio-economic characteristics and political institutions that would benefit from unified representation.” Communities of interest may include neighborhoods, groups of neighborhoods, school attendance zones and similar geographic areas.

5. Contiguous territory. 

Low Priority

6. Compact districts, with goal of Polsby-Popper ratio greater or equal to 0.050. If any proposed district yields a compactness score that is less than 0.050, then a detailed justification must be stated.

7. Identifiable geographic boundaries, such as streams, railroad tracks and highways. To the extent possible, dwelling units that are located on opposite sides of the same residential street shall be assigned to the same district.

8. Contain while voting precincts.

9. Contain while census blocks or block groups.

10. Do not consider place of residence of incumbents or potential candidates. 

 

     

 

Redistricting Mapping

An important feature of the redistricting process was the opportunity for interested residents to use a software program to prepare their own proposed district maps in accordance with the City Council’s adopted criteria.

The city held in-person and virtual training for residents from June through November 12.  All maps that were submitted for review are posted. The Task Force will look at these maps to determine which map will move forward for public comment.

 

Communities of Interest

What is a community of interest?

A community of interest is “a local population with shared socio-economic characteristics and political institutions that would benefit from unified representation.” Communities of interest may include neighborhoods, groups of neighborhoods, school attendance zones, and similar geographic areas.

Why is a community of interest important?

Keeping communities of interest together is an important principle of redistricting. At the recommendation of the Redistricting Task Force, City Council adopted Resolution No. 5375-04-2021, which establishes communities of interest as a high-priority criterion for redistricting.

Communities of Interest were asked to register with the city before September 15.  This map shows the communities of interest who registered before the deadline, and were used in the redistricting process. 

Communities of Interest Map

Redistricting Schedule

 

Analysis of Redistricting Plans proposed by Task Force(PDF, 216KB)

 

The map approved by the City Council at their March 29 meeting. The new districts will be used for the May 2023 election. 

 

Adopted Council District Map

Council Districts Map Overall (03/29/22)
adopted-map.gif

 

Interactive map showing the new districts

 

 

Council map developed on March 23. An ordinance adopting this map will appear on the City Council’s March 29 agenda.

Anna Map (03/23/22)
anna map.gif

 

 

 

 

View all maps submitted for consideration

You can also view all these maps online at CFW Maps Arcgis

You will need to set up an account on the software platform in order to view the maps.

 


March 23 Redistricting Packet for Council discussion

 


Council recommended maps for public comment March 22.

 


Maps for public comment February 28.

 


Map recommended by the Redistricting Task Force

 


Meetings

January 4 Redistricting 101 information

View Meeting

Presentation  Redistricting Powerpoint FINAL Jan 4(PPTX, 3MB)

View the past 2022 Redistricting Schedule