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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Bear Creek Greenway to link to Highway 62 ... More thunderstorms expected ... Medford airport sets all-time record for passengers ... Bear Creek Greenway to link to Highway 62 ... More thunderstorms expected ... Medford airport sets all-time record for passengers ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Precinct numbering system proves baffling Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News I noticed Jackson County has an unusual looking numbering system for its voting precincts. Some numbers seem to be skipped over. For instance, I see Precinct 54 in Medford but not Precinct 55. Instead, it jumps to precinct 56. Also, some of the precincts have a number over 100, but I don’t think we have that many precincts. What’s the scoop? — Margie P., Medford We’ve got to admit, Margie, that the numbering system is baffling. You’ve got Precinct 84, which is the city of Phoenix, surrounded by Precinct 87, which is the rural area around the city. They just seemed to skip over 85 and 86. Medford has precincts 40, 42, 44, 46, 47, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64. Maybe there’s a mathematical whiz out there who could find some rationale to this numbering system. Before you’re ready to accuse some drunken bureaucrat of coming up with this idea, there is something of a method to this numbering madness. First of all, according to Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker, there are 54 precincts in the county. Prior to a redistricting that took place in 2010, there were 52. As to your question, Margie, why the weird numbering system? It goes back to Senate Bill 1178, passed in 1999. The bill allowed up to 5,000 registered voters in a particular precinct. Prior to that, up 2,500 could be included in a precinct. That’s why we have so many precinct numbers because some were consolidated when the legislature redrew district boundaries. Also, the numbering system allows for the addition of new precinct numbers as the population of an area increases. So, Margie, now you can impress all your friends with your knowledge of precincts, or put them to sleep. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 4, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501