KINGWOOD — Preston County’s representation in the State House of Delegates could change based on the results of the 2020 U.S. Census.
Currently, portions of Preston and Tucker Counties together elect the 53rd District delegate, a seat held now by Republican “Buck” Jennings. The rest of Preston elects the 52nd District delegate, currently Republican Terri Sypolt,
“Preston County — and a lot of people don’t realize this — we’re very close population wise, so if we get a really good count, the next census, we may end up not having to share a delegate with Tucker County. We may end up to where we have two delegates exclusively for this county, which would be a big plus for us,” County Commissioner Don Smith said at last week’s county commission meeting.
Legislative districts will be redrawn after the 2020 census. Based on a bill passed by the legislature in 2018, the House of Delegates will have 100 single-member districts. Currently, the House is composed of 100 delegates, representing 67 districts. Of those, 59 Republicans and 41 Democrats.
Delegates serve two-year terms with all of the seats in the House up for election every two years. In 2018 both chambers considered creating an independent redistricting commission but did not move forward with it. State law calls for redistricting committees in each chamber to draw the lines of the new districts. The committees are to be dominated by the majority party at the time.
Federal legislators are also districted based on population. Smith recalled that when he was growing up, West Virginia had five Congressmen. “Now there are three.” And, “West Virginia is one of the most under reported states,” in the census, Smith noted.
Whatever the reason for that, he urged everyone to respond. The questions on the census form are only about the number of people, he said, not delving into other areas.
It’s not just state and federal representation that is impacted by the census count. Programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children are funded in part based on population. Federal funding for roads is also impacted by the census. Since the last census, West Virginia has received $5 billion for various federal programs.
Preston County Administrator Shannon Wolfe is developing a list of people to volunteer to serve on a Complete Count Committee. Committee members, who are active in their communities and viewed as “trusted voices,” will urge residents to complete census forms.
A census representative asked the county commission in January to help ensure every Prestonian is counted by forming the committee.
Wolfe asks anyone interested in serving on the committee to contact her at 304-329-1805. “It is a very important for people to self-report,” Wolfe said last week.
