GUNTERSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
The Guntersville City Council formally opposed the state house redistricting plan.
The plan would increase the number of state legislatures from two to five. Albertville, Arab, and Marshall County have already voiced opposition for the bill.
After a voice vote, the City of Guntersville unanimously opposed the plan.
"Everyone on the council feels that way that we're not pleased with the proposed plan," said Guntersville Mayor Bob Hembree.
Marshall County has had two primary districts for many years.
Local governments have said the new plan would weaken county representation. Arab Mayor Gary Beam said the Marshall County areas being pulled into different counties would have no say.
"We just feel like it will weaken our representation in Montgomery because the folks on the southeast side of Arab are not going to be able to be heard. You know? Let's get real," said Beam.
A representative who voted in favor of the redistricting originally said they submitted a plan to keep Marshall County's two districts but that changed when it got to House leadership.
"On the house floor in Montgomery on state bills, Marshall County will be better off with five votes than they will with two," said Representative Wes Long.
However, another representative said that since the districts have to all agree, five districts could hurt legislation in the long run.
"If you have three legislators not predominately from this county then they can play games with that legislation to get something for the county they are more interested in because most of the people are in a different county," said Representative Jeff McLaughlin.
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