At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we have to say again that the method of redistricting used by our government needs serious attention.

The good news, however, is we are nine years away from the next census, so there’s plenty of time to come up with a better system.

The news from Ferriday this week wasn’t surprising, since we’ve been down the same road in Concordia Parish and Natchez.

But the frequency makes the woes no less disturbing.

Ferriday’s board of aldermen failed to move quickly enough on a redistricting plan. Without the proper OK from the U.S. Department of Justice, the town now has to delay its aldermen elections.

The election may now cost taxpayers unnecessary funds.

It will certainly delay the natural progression of leadership in the town.

And it, interestingly, gives one current alderman an interesting opportunity.

Alderman Johnnie Brown has qualified to run for mayor. Since that election will be on the regular schedule — this spring — Brown could now presumably lose his bid for mayor and run to keep his current job.

We have no idea whether Brown saw this opportunity coming or whether it’s mere coincidence.

Either way, it’s just yet another example of why the government’s current method of redistricting is unfair, costly and impractical.

Citizens must lead the charge for change before 2020.