Elective office 

Counci Member Districts

TIME FRAME FOR REDISTRICTING

No earlier than 21 days after the release of the census data by the Statewide Database. If next election is between January & June 2022, then no later than Election Day-174. no later than Election Day-174 if the next election is before July 1, 2022; no later than Election Day-205 if next election is July 1 2022 or later.

If next election is after July 1 2022, then no later than Election Day-205

CA Election Code sections 21602 and 21608

Criteria Applied to Drawing District Lines

Equal Population of each district required Voting Rights Act & California Voting Rights Act must be followed. Population is adjusted to count incarcerated people at theirhome address not their prison address

Then the following in order of priority:

  1. Geographic Contiguity to the extent practicable. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not contiguous.

  2. Communities of Interest Preservation to the extent practicable. A "community of Interest" is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single supervisorial district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.

  3. Geographic Integrity of a city or census designated place shall be respected to the extent practicable.

  4. Geographic Compactness should be encouraged to the extent practicable, where it doesn't conflict with previous criteria, and in a manner to ensure that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.

  5. Easily Identifiable by Residents To the extend practicable, districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, including streets.

  6. Prohibit Favoritism No partisan favoritism or discrimination.

    CA Election Code, sections 21500, 21601, and 21621

Hearing & Map Requirements

  • At least four hearings required.

  • One hearing prior to issuing first draft map.

  • Two hearings after draft map issued.

  • One hearing or workshop on weekend or weeknight after 6 PM.

  • Hearings must be accessible to people with disabilities.

  • Hearing notices published five days beforehand; three days if election is less than 179 days away.

  • Draft maps posted online seven days before adoption of final map; three days in the last 28 days before deadline

  • If available, draft maps submitted by county/city must include total population, citizen voting age population (CVAP), and racial & ethnic characteristics of CVAP in each proposed district.

  • Census data from Statewide Database must be available for at least three weeks before release of any draft map; if 60-90 days until deadline, this is reduced to one week; if fewer than 60 days, no waiting period.

Outreach

Board/Council's good faith outreach required to reach underrepresented and non-English speaking communities.

  • Disseminate info through media, good government, and community organizations, including those serving language minorities.

  • Live translation required if requested 72 hours in advance; or 48 hours if hearing is scheduled less than five days before notice.

  • Dedicated internet web page with info in English and any languages in which county is required to produce ballots. In-language requirements extended to languages spoken by residents with limited English proficiency who constitute 3 percent or more of the city’s total population. Must post explanation of process and opportunities for engagement, calendar, hearing notices, maps under consideration, and final map.

  • Public comment and map drafts may be submitted in writing or electronically and must be made publicly available.

    CA Election Code, sections 21507-21508.