City Council Agenda
Memo to: Manteca City Council
From: Cassandra Candini-Tilton, City Clerk
Date: September 21, 2021
Subject: Formation of City Council Districts
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Clerk to commence the process of transitioning from At-Large to By-District Elections for City Councilmembers.
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Background:
Over the last several years, cities, school districts, and community colleges districts throughout the State of California have been changing from at-large to by-district elections to comply with the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) and/or to avoid litigation. The CVRA expands the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), by eliminating key requirements, including geographical compactness of a minority group and their ability to form a majority in a proposed district. By eliminating these important elements in the federal law, the State law, thereby, made it easier for plaintiffs to sue and prevail under the CVRA. Not a single jurisdiction has prevailed in litigation under the CVRA; several jurisdictions have paid millions in out-of-court settlements. All challenged jurisdictions have transitioned from at-large elections. In at-large elections, each council member can reside anywhere in the City and is elected by the registered voters of the entire City. In by-district elections, each council member is elected by the registered voters of the district in which the council member lives.
The City has been closely watching this trend and monitoring related legislation for some time. At the City Council Meeting of August 17, 2021, City Council approved entering into contract with TripepiSmith for the process of District Formation.
City staff recommends adopting the proposed resolution, authorizing the City Clerk to commence the process of transitioning from At-Large to By-District Elections for City Council Members.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact with the adoption of the proposed resolution.
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