Learn How to Draw Your Own District Map

DISTRICT ELECTIONS

As a result of legislation and lawsuits, virtually all California cities are moving to district elections. Many cities already have district elections, and even more are in the process of transitioning to district elections. A few cities tried to fight the move and they all lost in court, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

Some people complain that as a result of districting they lose their vote. Right now you get to vote for 2 or 3 Council members at each election. In the future under districts you’ll only vote for 1 or 2. As disconcerting as this may be, it is now the law. Moreover, the district system we are being forced to move to is no different from the voting system used to elect Supervisors, Representatives, etc. For example, California has 80 Assembly members, but we only get to vote for 1 of them.

Supervisors are a better example. Orange County has 5 supervisors, but we only get to vote for 1 of them. Each Supervisor represents a geographic district, and while the Supervisor lives in and represents the district, he/she also lives in Orange County and most of the things that they decide impact the entire County, not a single district.

LAKE FOREST

Our city council decided to create a district system for the upcoming 2018 election that most resembles the status quo. Right now we have 5 council members and a Mayor who is appointed by the Council members. We decided to move to 5 districts and a Mayor appointed by the Council. This decision will govern the 2018 election. 3 Council members will be up for election, just as before, and no one will be running for Mayor, just as before.

On the ballot in 2018 voters will be able to decide how many districts they want (from 4 to 7) and whether or not they want the Mayor elected city-wide. The decision in 2018 will determine what happens in the election of 2020.

Regardless of what happens in 2020, the election in 2022 will require drawing up new districts. Districts are based on census data. Our first districts were drawn up based on the 2010 census which shows Lake Forest with a population of 77,000 plus, even though we know the current population is closer to 84,000. But with new data from the 2020 census, we will have to redraw the districts in advance of the 2022 election.

FIRST MEETING

Our first public meeting will be Thursday, August 10, at 5:30 at El Toro Library. The purpose is to inform and educate the public on district-based elections and provide instruction on how to submit resident-drawn maps

THE TASK

Our consultant created a website where people can go to draw their maps. Click Here

The software is not user friendly and you may experience some problems. Alternately you can print out one of the maps and draw your district without having to bother with the interactive software.

My personal recommendation is that you try the software first, then come to the workshops and get some hands-on help.

SCHEDULE

Here is the proposed schedule for the rest of the meetings –

• 08/17/2017 Community Workshop 2: Lake Forest Sports Park/Recreation Center - 6:30 PM. Community Workshop to inform and educate public on district-based elections and provide instruction on how to submit resident-drawn maps
• 09/05/2017 Public Hearing #2: City Hall. Further opportunity for public to comment on districting as a whole.
• 09/19/2017 Map Submittal. City Hall. Deadline Community and/or individual submittals of draft maps are due via online map tool submittal or in paper form to the City Clerk
• 9/25/2017 - Draft maps available for public review.
• 10/03/2017 Public Hearing #3: City Hall. First consideration of draft maps.
• 11/7/2017 Public Hearing #4: City Hall. Second consideration of draft maps narrowed down from maps proposed at Public Hearing #3
• 11/21/2017 Public Hearing #5: City Hall. Introduction of Ordinance approving proposed districts, the final map, and sequencing of districts (i.e., which districts are up for election in 2018 and 2020)
• 12/5/2017 Adoption of Ordinance: City Hall. Final adoption of Ordinance approving Districts, maps, and sequencing (placed on consent)
• 11/6/2018 Election Day First district elections held (three seats open in 2018; remaining seats will be elected by district in 2020).

Tomorrow I'll offer some tips.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a mini town meeting every month. The next meeting will be on Sept 9 at 2 pm at the El Toro Public Library.