Lake Forest Redistricting 2021: What You Need To Know

LAKE FOREST, CA —The time for redistricting is upon us once again in Lake Forest. At Tuesday's city council meeting, the Lake Forest City Council will determine new district lines based upon population. This process will take several months of review before the new districts are adopted, according to the timeline released by the city.

Why redistrict? Every ten years, city council districts must redraw their lines to ensure each district is substantially equal in population-based upon census data reported in August, the city says. The redistricting process ensures that each city council member represents "about the same number of constituents," a city spokesperson reports.

The city has hired Bear Demographics and Research, LLC, who will present at Tuesday's meeting, outlining the proposed redistricting process. The council is expected to approve the proposed timeline for the redistricting process at that meeting.

In Lake Forest, the Mayor and City Council are responsible for drawing council districts.

District lines will be drawn based upon:

• Geographically contiguous districts
• Geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities in "a manner that minimizes division."
• The districts must have "easily identifiable boundaries or natural barriers."
• Lines shall be drawn to encourage "geographic compactness" and not to discriminate or favor a political party.

The current district map:

The City Clerk's office will handle all questions or comments, and the public is encouraged to submit draft maps. Call 949-461-3420 or redistricting@lakeforestca.gov to submit public comments or to submit draft maps.