Tentative Timeline for Consideration and Implementation of District-Based Elections Date Event Code § Comment
July 22,
2024
City received certified
demand letter from
Shenkman & Hughes
EC§10010(e)(1) Before commencing an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028, a prospective plaintiff shall send by certified mail a written notice to the clerk of the political subdivision (“City’) against which the action would be brought asserting that the City’s method of conducting elections may violate the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.
EC§ 10010(e)(2) A prospective plaintiff shall not commence an action to enforce Sections 14027 and 14028 within 45 days of the City’s receipt of the written notice described above (CVRA lawsuit cannot be commenced until September 5, 2024.)
9/3/24 Resolution is
considered at City
Council Meeting
EC§ 10010 (3)(A) Within 45 days of receipt of a notice, the City may pass a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, specific steps it will undertake to facilitate this transition, and an estimated time frame for doing so (Resolution to be considered no later than September 5, 2024)
9/3/24 Resolution is adopted
at City Council
Meeting
EC§ 10010(e)(3)(B) If the City begins the process of switching to districts within 45 days and adopts a resolution to that effect a potential plaintiff cannot commence an action within 90 days of the resolution’s passage. (CVRA lawsuit cannot be commenced until December 3, 2024) TBD Conduct public
outreach, encourage
public participation,
and receive public
input
EC§ 10010(a)(1) Before public hearings, the City may conduct outreach to the public, including to non- English-speaking communities, to explain the districting process and to encourage public participation. I.e. farmers market, public library, public schools, places of worship, homeowners associations, and community organizations
10/7/24 1st Public Hearing
(Regular Meeting)
EC§ 10010(a)(1) First and second public hearings must occur within a period of 30 days.
No maps for review, but take public comments on composition of districts and preference for district lines.
10/21/24 2nd Public Hearing
(Regular Meeting)
EC§ 10010(a)(1) No maps for review, but take public comments on composition of districts and preference for district lines.
10/28/24 Publish for review
first drafts of district
election maps and
potential sequence of
elections
EC§ 10010(a)(2) After all draft maps are drawn, at least 7 days before the 3rd public hearing, the City shall publish and make available for release at least one draft map and, if city councilmembers will be elected in their districts at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the potential sequence of the elections.
11/4/24 3rd Public Hearing
(Regular Meeting)
EC§ 10010(a)(2) The City shall also 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 map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections, if applicable. 11/11/24 Post any new or
amended maps
EC§ 10010(a)(2) Maps available for review at least 7 days before consideration at the 4th public hearing. 11/18/24 4th Public Hearing
(Regular Meeting)
EC§ 10010(a)(2) Take public comments on proposed maps. If selected map is amended, ordinance cannot be introduced until 7 days after amended map is published Council may introduce ordinance if final map is selected at this public hearing 11/25/24 or
12/2/24
DEADLINE
12/2/24
(Special) 5th Public
Hearing
or
Regular Meeting
EC§ 10010(e)(3)(B) Council introduces ordinance establishing district elections, including district boundaries and election sequence if map is changed at 11/18/24 meeting.
Council adopts ordinance