Cleveland releases draft of new ward map
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A draft map of Cleveland's new council wards. Screenshot: Cleveland City Council
The shapes of Cleveland's 15 new wards are now more or less defined.
Driving the news: Cleveland City Council and consultants from the Triad Research Group released a draft map Tuesday at City Hall.
- Given the tight timeline, it's unlikely to change much.
Friction point: Despite Council President Blaine Griffin's professed commitment to transparency through the redistricting process, some constituents argue they haven't had a meaningful opportunity to provide feedback on the maps in progress.
- And Ward 12 Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer, of Slavic Village, accused Griffin of "carving up" her existing ward and shoehorning her into a new west side ward.
What they're saying: In remarks Tuesday, Griffin celebrated the fairness and openness of the process once again, stressing that all council members had to sacrifice pieces of their constituencies and neighborhood assets.
- "This map not only meets the legal requirements for redistricting, but goes beyond to ensure that our neighborhoods remain as intact as possible and our residents are equitably served," he said.
- On a dedicated redistricting web page, council is soliciting resident feedback, but Griffin warned that any changes would be "minimal at best."
Catch up quick: Cleveland voters passed a charter amendment in 2008 tying the number of wards to the overall population — roughly 25,000 residents per ward. Based on the 2020 census, council was forced to shed two seats.
- All seats will be up for election next year.
Between the lines: The city's population has gotten denser on the west side and sparser on the east, meaning new wards sometimes had to be stretched to accommodate population requirements.
- The changes could also pit council incumbents against one another.
Zoom in: Sections of Maurer's Ward 12, for example, would be in six new wards.
- If she campaigns next year in her current location, she'd square up against incumbent Richard Starr in the new Ward 5.
- The new Ward 10, which unites the previously fractured Collinwood neighborhood on the northeast side, could mean a showdown between incumbents Michael Polensek and Anthony Hairston.
What's next: Griffin expects council to vote on the new map at its Jan. 6 meeting.