A decision by the Desha County Election Commission Monday reversed their earlier decision that would have moved two black justices of the peace into the same districts as two other black justices of the peace.
According of the McGehee Dermot Times News, the election commission, which is composed of two Republicans and one Democrat approved revised district maps on Dec. 2 that would have placed District 8 Justice of the Peace Dollie Wilson in in District 6 with Richard Smith. The maps also placed District 3 JP Patricia Watkins with District 1 JP Joe James.
All four JP’s are Democrats.
According to the newspaper, Wilson wrote a letter to the commission and said in a public statement that she was concerned that race and politics played a part in the decision.
In November, the commission was presented maps separating the districts but did not vote on them at that time. At a subsequent meeting, the revised maps placing the districts together was approved but after a hearing Monday, the commission reversed its decision and approved the original maps.
The Desha County Election Commission will accept public comments on the redrawn districts for 30 days.
