Why Are There Commissioner Districts?
Dear Editor,
Why are there Commissioner districts?
We have received questions about why there are three districts for commissioners and what they mean for voters. The answer is a bit complicated but ultimately for the voter, the districts do not matter when it comes to how you vote.
First, it might help to know there are three districts for Commissioner in Kosciusko County — the Northern, the Middle, and the Southern. The Northern District encompasses the following townships: Tippecanoe, Turkey Creek, Van Buren, Jefferson, Scott, and the northern part of Plain Township. The Southern District encompasses Washington, Monroe, Jackson, Clay, Lake Seward, Franklin and a good amount of Wayne Township outside of Warsaw City limits. The Middle District encompasses the City of Warsaw, the northeast corner of Wayne Township, Harrison, Prairie, and Etna Townships.
Although there are three districts, these lines are not voting lines. All three Commissioners are elected by all the voters of Kosciusko County no matter the district the voter resides in. So how do districts actually matter?
The reason the county is split into districts is to provide for diversity of location on the Board of Commissioners. One Commissioner is elected from each district, and the commissioner must live in the district they are running in. This ensures that there will be a commissioner from each of the three parts of the county, instead of all three coming from the same area.
Travis lives and is running for the Middle District seat, but we want to show you why you can trust Travis to represent everyone. He has met and continues to meet with folks from all around the county to make sure all needs are addressed. If you have something you want addressed, please let us know, no matter which of our seventeen townships you live in.
Travis McConnell
Warsaw
Editor’s note: Travis McConnell is running for Kosciusko County Commissioner