When drawing district lines, the boundary lines must match up with census blocks. Census blocks, which are the smallest geographic area for which the Bureau of the Census collects and tabulates decennial census data, cannot be subdivided.

The following criteria must be met when considering district lines:

1. Contain as near an equal number* of inhabitants as is practicable; and
2. Contiguous (territories must be connected).

The following criteria may also be considered:

1. Compact, having a minimum distance between all parts of the ward (a square, circle, or hexagon shaped ward is the most compact);
2. Retention of existing neighborhoods;
3. Retention of established precincts;
4. Retention of historic boundaries;
5. Cohesion of existing communities of shared interest; and
6. Incumbency

Maximum Total Deviation*

The maximum total deviation determines the allowable deviation for the redistricting plan and is calculated using the following formula.

Total Population ÷ Number of Districts = Ideal District
(Largest District – Ideal District) ÷ Ideal = Max % Over
(Ideal District – Smallest District) ÷ Ideal = Max % Under
Max % Over + Max % Under = Total Variation
Total Variation ≤ 10%

The Redistricting Commission has recommended Option D (pictured below).

1. This option was presented during the second Redistricting Commission meeting and is a modification of Option B based on the first Redistricting Commission meeting discussion.
2. Some shifts from Option B were made to keep some neighborhoods in their historic ward locations.
3. As with Option B, there would be a shift in the incumbent wards.
4. Neighborhood/subdivision boundaries are maintained.
5. The total deviation is below 10%.

1. The existing ward boundaries were evaluated based on the redistricting criteria.
2. The population based on 2020 Census Block Group data is not evenly distributed.
3. The total deviation is above the target deviation of 10.

1. This option was presented during the first Redistricting Commission meeting and reflects minor changes to the existing ward boundaries.
2. This option keeps all incumbents in current wards and splits existing neighborhood/subdivision boundaries.
3. Total deviation is better than the existing boundaries, but does not get below the target deviation of 10%.

1. This option was presented during the first Redistricting Commission meeting and reflects more significant changes to Ward 2 and Ward 3 boundaries.
2. Some incumbents do change wards (One from Wards 2 and 3 switch)
3. Neighborhood/subdivision boundaries remain intact.
4. The total deviation is well below the target of 10%, which means it is close to the goal of equal population distribution.

1. This option was presented during the second Redistricting Commission meeting and is a modification of Option A based on the first meeting discussion.
2. This option works to keep boundaries similar to the existing wards.
3. One incumbent would move from Ward 3 to Ward 2.
4. Neighborhood/subdivision boundaries are largely maintained.
5. The total deviation is brought below the target of 10%.

1. This option was not presented during the Redistricting Commission's meetings.
2. This option works to keep boundaries similar to the existing wards. 
3. Total deviation is less than the target deviation of 10%.