Frequently Asked Questions

Redistricting is the regular process of adjusting the lines of voting districts in accordance with population shifts. In California, public agencies and other organizations must redivide (or redraw) the lines of their districts every ten years once the results of the Census are released so that each district is substantially equal in population. This ensures that each elected official represents about the same number of constituents.

All district lines must be reviewed to meet strict requirements for population equality,  voting rights protections, and in accordance with the California Fair Maps Act. With the California Voting Rights Act, more than 500 jurisdictions in California must redistrict in 2021 and 2022.

Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for the purposes of electing Council Members. The City Council will seek input in selecting the next district map for electing Council Members. You have an opportunity to share with the City Council how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community either during the public hearings or by emailing comments to our office.

View a map of the City’s current City Council districts.

Criteria is as follows:

1. Federal Laws
   • Equal Population (based on total population of residents as determined by the most recent federal decennial census and adjusted by the State to reassign incarcerated persons to the last known place of residence)
   • Federal Voting Rights Act
   • No Racial Gerrymandering 
2. California Criteria for Cities (to the extent practicable and in the following order of priority)
   • Geographically contiguous (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 ferry service are not contiguous.
   • Undivided neighborhoods and “communities of interest” (Socio-economic geographic areas that should be kept together for purposes of its effective and fair representation)
   • Easily identifiable boundaries
   • Compact (Do not bypass one group of people to get to a more distant group of people)
   • Prohibited: “Shall not favor or discriminate against a political party.”
3. Other Traditional Redistricting Principles
   • Minimize voters shifted to different election years
   • Respect voters’ choices/continuity in office
   • Future population growth
   • Preserving the core of existing districts

A community of interest is a contiguous population that shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.

Per the Local Government Redistricting Toolkit by Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (2020):

Communities of interest are the overlapping sets of neighborhoods, networks, and groups that share interests, views, cultures, histories, languages, and values and whose boundaries can be identified on a map.

The following elements help define communities of interest:

• Shared interests in schools, housing, community safety, transit, health conditions, land use, environmental conditions, and/or other issues
• Common social and civic networks, including churches, mosques, temples, homeowner associations, and community centers, and shared use of community spaces, like parks and shopping Centers
• Racial and ethnic compositions, cultural identities, and households that predominantly speak a language other than English
• Similar socioeconomic status, including but not limited to income, home-ownership, and education levels
• Shared political boundary lines from other jurisdictions, such as school districts, community college districts, and water districts

The City Council will reach out to local media to publicize the redistricting process. Also, we will make a good faith effort to notify community groups of various kinds about the redistricting process. Our public hearings and workshops will be provided in applicable languages if residents email a request in advance.

The City Council will notify the public about redistricting hearings and workshops, post maps online before adoption, and maintain this dedicated web page for all relevant information about the redistricting process.

Share your specific thoughts or attend an upcoming public hearing to get involved!

• Submit written testimony about the process via email to our office.

At the hearings and workshops, we want you to:

• Share your story
• Define your neighborhood or community of interest
• Explain why redistricting is relevant to your community
• Share your opinions of the draft maps
• Talk to your neighbors and local organizations

Common acronyms demographic categories:

• NH: Non-Hispanic
• VAP: Voting age population
• CVAP: Citizen Voting Age Population
• CVRA: California Voting Rights Act
• FAIR MAPS Act: Fair And Inclusive Redistricting for Municipalities and Political Subdivisions
• NDC: National Demographics Corporation (the firm hired to produce the maps and provide demographic data)

Online Publications and Guides to Redistricting

• MALDEF, the NAACP and the Asian Justice Center - Redistricting Guide (PDF)
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Local Government Redistricting Toolkit (PDF)
• Brennan Center - Citizen's Guide to Redistricting (PDF)
• League of Women Voters - Redistricting California
• California Independent Redistricting Commission - Frequently Asked Questions