Redistricting affects 2012 commissioner races

Redistricting in the county has done more than change boundary lines.

Douglas County commissioners Bev Bales and Jerry Johnson’s terms were slated for the 2012 elections.

Now, Norm Salto, Paul C. Anderson and Dan Olson will need to re-up their candidacy because of population shifts in their districts.

State statute requires a new election of commissioners at the next general election if a shift in the boundary of a district affects more than 5 percent of the average district size in the county, which has occurred in districts 2, 4 and 5.

“When calculating the total number of individuals shifted into and out of each of these commissioner districts during the redistricting process, all three of those commissioner districts went over the allowable 5 percent threshold,” said Vicki Doehling Douglas County deputy auditor/treasurer. “All five com-missioner districts will hold an election in 2012, three of which will be elected for the remaining two years of the normal four-year term.”

The filing period for commissioner positions opens on May 22 and will close on June 5. A primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 14 if enough candidates enter the commissioner races. The general election is on Tuesday, November 6.

Watch the Echo Press for more county news and continued election coverage.

Tags: local news, douglas county, news, updates, commissioners, election