Cleveland residents who have questions or ideas about the process to reshape the city’s ward boundaries and eliminate two council seats can share them next week. Cleveland City Council is hosting three community meetings to explain the redistricting process. They’ve even invited people to bring their own maps. Cleveland’s charter ties the number of wards to the city’s population, which is measured using the U.S. Census. As the city’s population has dropped, so has the number of wards and elected council members. The city always has an odd number of wards – currently there are 17 – and each should include roughly 25,000 people.The 2020 census put Cleveland’s population at 372,624, though some, including council members, believe that is an undercount. Earlier this year, council hired pollster Bob Dykes, who was involved in past efforts to redraw wards and eliminate council seats; urban planner and political consultant Kent Whitley; and Mark Salling, a demographer and former Cleveland State University professor to draw the map. Ward boundaries have official – and unofficial – importance for Cleveland residents. Council members often serve as de facto complaint lines when city services break down. Members also pay for development projects and direct aid with discretionary dollars such as casino funds.The last time the maps were redrawn, more than a decade ago, Cleveland’s population had dropped to about 375,000 and the number of council wards was reduced from 19 to 17. The East Side lost a ward. Two East Side incumbents competed for a remaining seat. A West Side council member decided to retire, which helped council cut a ward west of the Cuyahoga River.Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin has said the goal is not to split up neighborhoods – but also to make sure the wards reflect the city’s diversity. Cleveland City Council Redistricting Meetings Oct. 15Jerry Sue Thornton Center2500 E. 22nd St. Cleveland 44115Oct. 16Estabrook Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center4125 Fulton Road Cleveland 44144Oct. 17 Glenville Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center680 E. 113th Cleveland 45108The post Cleveland will reduce the number of city wards in 2025. Hit up one of these meetings to participate and ask questions appeared first on Signal Cleveland.First published by Signal Cleveland.