The City of Arcadia is hosting a Redistricting Workshop on Wednesday, November 10 at 6:00p.m. to discuss the redistricting process, to solicit input from residents, and to introduce the City's redistricting mapping tool. For more information, visit http://ArcadiaCA.gov/Redistricting.
What is Redistricting?
Every ten years, districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each City council member represents about the same number of constituents. Assembly Bill 849 (2019) requires cities and counties to engage communities in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and/or workshops and doing public outreach, including to non-English-speaking communities.
Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is normally released around March 31st following each decennial census. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 U.S. Census and the resulting data was significantly delayed. The redistricting data that the City will use to consider changes to the five City Council districts will not be available until around September 30, 2021. For the City of Arcadia, the redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022.
City Council District Representation
Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a Council Member.
The City Council will seek input in selecting the next district map for our City Council. You have an opportunity to share with the City Council how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.
Redistricting Criteria
To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria: (1) geographically contiguous districts (each city council district should share a common border with the next), (2) the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, (3) geographic integrity of a city shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, (4) easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.), and (5) lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
Get Involved
The City Council will be holding public hearings to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. Those hearings will be listed on this page as dates are identified. You can also submit public comments, including suggested draft maps, by emailing CityClerk@ArcadiaCA.gov.