Background
The City of California City currently employs an at-large election system, in which voters of the entire City elect four City Council members and one Mayor. A district-base election is one in which the City is divided into separate districts, each with one City Council member who resides in the district and is chosen by the voters in that particular district. Once the transition away from at-large elections is completed, the district-election system will be phased in.
The City received a letter from a potential plaintiffs’ (Southwest Voter Registration Education Project) attorney, Shenkman & Hughes PC (“Shenkman”), alleging a violation of the California Voting Rights Act (the “CVRA”) and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily change to a district-based election system for electing Councilmembers. The Council considered this threat of litigation at its January 28, 2025 meeting and Council gave direction to proceed with agendizing the resolution of intent in order to have the option of taking advantage of the safe harbor provisions of Elections Code Section 10010, cap the City’s potential attorneys’ fees to Shenkman, and avoid costly litigation.
Process
As a part of the transition process, the City needs to hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. No official maps can be drawn before completion of these two public meetings. Once the initial two meetings are complete, the demographer and public can begin to officially draw maps that will be considered in the districting process. The City would then hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps and the proposed sequence of elections. Once a map is selected, it would need to be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing for introduction of an ordinance to adopt the district map.
Below is a timeline for reference:
- 2/11/2025: Resolution adopted at Council meeting outlining its intent to transition from at large to district based elections
- 2/25/2025: 1st Public Hearing conducted
- 3/11/2025: 2nd Public Hearing scheduled
- No later than 3/18/2025: First drafts of district election maps and potential sequence of elections
- 3/25/2025: 3rd Public Hearing scheduled
- No later than 4/1/2025: Publish any new or amended maps at least 7 days before 4th Public Hearing
- 4/8/2025: 4th Public Hearing
- No later than 4/10/2025: Publish any amended maps at least 7 days before the 5th Public Hearing
- 4/16/2025 or 4/22/2025: 5th Public Hearing
- 5/12/2025: Deadline to adopt ordinance by City Council
Presentations:
Documents:
California City Fair Maps Act Assessment
California City Fair Maps Act Assessment- April 1, 2025
Draw Districts:
https://districtr.org/tag/california_city
Questions? Contact Us Here:
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Public Maps (submitted prior to 3/18/2025):
Public Maps (submitted prior to 4/1/2025):
Draft Maps (submitted prior to 3/18/2025):
- Draft Map A (URL)
- Draft Map A with Overlay
- Draft Map B (URL)
- Draft Map B with Overlay
- Draft Map C (URL)
Draft Map A: Renumbered (Posted on 4/14/2025):
Proposed Sequencing for Draft Maps:
- Odd Districts: 2026
- Even Disticts 2028