JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – An effort to adopt a new ward map for the City of Jackson failed on Tuesday.

A special City Council meeting was called to try and end this year’s redistricting fight.

A motion to suspend the rules and adopt a new ward map was curtailed by Councilman Vernon Hartley, Ward 5. He claims the ward map disproportionately harms Ward 5 and strips away political representation for residents in the ward.

“Ward 5 is known for history and heritage. We press boundaries, especially equity boundaries. There is no political representation downtown. Heritage, history, economics, all of that is a factor in redistricting. When folks only say, ‘Well, it’s just about the numbers. It’s just about the people.’ No, it’s a bigger picture than that,” Hartley said.

Councilman Aaron Banks, Ward 6, said the map has the votes to get adopted.

“I’m confident that we have a majority of the Council that thinks in the best interests of the city. And, you know, there are people that want to run for seats. They want to know in time enough with their districts and boundaries are going to be we shouldn’t be trying to hold us out to the last minute over petty arguments,” said Banks.

The Council must wait six days before voting on the new ward map. It will be on the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 13.