In a special meeting Tuesday the Long County Commission approved new district lines to send to the Justice Department. The vote was 3-1, but several commissioners expressed dismay.

District 4 Commissioner Clifton DeLoach, who moved for approve, said he did so out of fear that inaction would hurt the county.

“I’ll tell you this, I don’t like how the state did this, approving these maps before the election … I have checked with the state and with two attorneys, and according to information that I have been told, if we don’t approve them, it could end up costing the county money, with the possibility of challenges to the election,” DeLoach said.

District 3 Commissioner Andy Fuller cast the sole no vote. He said he did not oppose redistricting, but did not approve of its timing.
“We had nothing to do with this, and I don’t even know how this special vote came about. Making this change will cause total chaos with the upcoming election with people not knowing where they’re supposed to vote.”

District 2 Commissioner Wallace Shaw was unable to attend the meeting because of a doctor’s appointment. Later, he said, “These maps have been approved for months, but the knowledge that it would have to be used during this election was just received on Friday.”