Bill Text

21500.

 (a) Following a county’s decision to elect its board using district-based elections, or following each federal decennial census for a county whose board is already elected using district-based elections, the board shall, by ordinance or resolution, adopt boundaries for all of the supervisorial districts of the county so that the supervisorial districts shall be substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution.

(1) Population equality shall be based on the total population of residents of the county as determined by the most recent federal decennial census for which the redistricting data described in Public Law 94-171 are available.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an incarcerated person, as that term is used in Section 21003, shall not be counted towards a county’s population, except for an incarcerated person whose last known place of residence may be assigned to a census block in the county, if information about the last known place of residence for incarcerated persons is included in the computerized database for redistricting that is developed in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 8253 of the Government Code, and that database is made publicly available.

(b) The board shall adopt supervisorial district boundaries that comply with the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).

(c) The board shall adopt supervisorial district boundaries using the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:

(1) To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not contiguous.

(2) To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. A “community of interest” is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single supervisorial district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.

(3) To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of a city or census designated place shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division.

(4) Supervisorial district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the county.

(5) To the extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subdivision, supervisorial districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.

(d) The board shall not adopt supervisorial district boundaries for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

(e) For purposes of this chapter, “adopt” or “adoption” in regard to supervisorial district boundaries means the passage of an ordinance or resolution specifying those boundaries.

21509.

 (a) If the board does not adopt supervisorial district boundaries by the deadlines set forth in Section 21501, the board shall immediately petition the superior court of the county for an order adopting supervisorial district boundaries. If the board does not petition the superior court within five days after the deadline, any resident of the county may file that petition and shall be entitled to recover the resident’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the county for doing so.

(b) (1) Upon finding that a petition filed pursuant to subdivision (a) is valid, the superior court shall adopt supervisorial district boundaries in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 21500, which shall be used in the county’s next regular election. The superior court may also order the adjustment of electoral deadlines as necessary to implement the new supervisorial district boundaries in the next regular election.

(2) The superior court may appoint a special master to assist the court with adopting the supervisorial district boundaries. The county shall pay the cost for the special master and associated costs.

(3) The superior court or the special master shall hold one or more public hearings before the superior court adopts the supervisorial district boundaries.

(4) Subject to the approval of the superior court, the special master may employ redistricting experts or other consultants or counsel, independent experts in the field of redistricting and computer technology, and other necessary personnel to assist them in their work. In addition, the special master may seek the full cooperation of the county in producing and using whatever data, computer models and programs, and technical assistance that was made available to the board and county personnel who are knowledgeable in the mechanics of drafting redistricting legislation. The superior court may assist the special master in securing the necessary personnel and the physical facilities required for their work, and to prepare for the prompt submission to the county of a request for county funding for the necessary expenses of the special master and the special master’s staff.

(5) The supervisorial district boundaries adopted by the superior court shall be immediately effective and shall have the same force and effect as an enacted resolution or ordinance of the board.

21601.

 (a) Following a city’s decision to elect its council using district-based elections, or following each federal decennial census for a city whose council is already elected using district-based elections, the council shall, by ordinance or resolution, adopt boundaries for all of the council districts of the city so that the council districts shall be substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution.

(1) Population equality shall be based on the total population of residents of the city as determined by the most recent federal decennial census for which the redistricting data described in Public Law 94-171 are available.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an incarcerated person as that term is used in Section 21003, shall not be counted towards a city’s population, except for an incarcerated person whose last known place of residence may be assigned to a census block in the city, if information about the last known place of residence for incarcerated persons is included in the computerized database for redistricting that is developed in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 8253 of the Government Code, and that database is made publicly available.

(b) The council shall adopt council district boundaries that comply with the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).

(c) The council shall adopt district boundaries using the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:

(1) To the extent practicable, council districts shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not contiguous.

(2) To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. A “community of interest” is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.

(3) Council district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, council districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the city.

(4) To the extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subdivision, council districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.

(d) The council shall not adopt council district boundaries for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

(e) For purposes of this article, “adopt” or “adoption” in regard to council district boundaries means the passage of an ordinance or resolution specifying those boundaries.

21609.

 (a) If the council does not adopt council district boundaries by the deadlines set forth in Section 21602, the council shall immediately petition the superior court in the county in which the city is located for an order adopting council district boundaries. If the council does not petition the superior court within five days after the deadline, any resident of the city may file that petition and shall be entitled to recover the resident’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the city for doing so.

(b) (1) Upon finding that a petition filed pursuant to subdivision (a) is valid, the superior court shall adopt council district boundaries in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 21601, which shall be used in the city’s next regular election. The superior court may also order the adjustment of electoral deadlines as necessary to implement the new council district boundaries in the next regular election.

(2) The superior court may appoint a special master to assist the court with adopting the council district boundaries. The city shall pay the cost for the special master and associated costs.

(3) The superior court or the special master shall hold one or more public hearings before the superior court adopts the council district boundaries.

(4) Subject to the approval of the superior court, the special master may employ redistricting experts or other consultants or counsel, independent experts in the field of redistricting and computer technology, and other necessary personnel to assist them in their work. In addition, the special master may seek the full cooperation of the city in producing and using whatever data, computer models and programs, and technical assistance that was made available to the council and city personnel who are knowledgeable in the mechanics of drafting redistricting legislation. The superior court may assist the special master in securing the necessary personnel and the physical facilities required for their work, and to prepare for the prompt submission to the city of a request for city funding for the necessary expenses of the special master and the special master’s staff.

(5) The council district boundaries adopted by the superior court shall be immediately effective and shall have the same force and effect as an enacted resolution or ordinance of the city council.

21621.

 (a) Following a city’s decision to elect its council using district-based elections, or following each federal decennial census for a city whose council is already elected using district-based elections, the council shall, by ordinance or resolution, adopt boundaries for all of the council districts of the city so that the council districts shall be substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution.

(1) Population equality shall be based on the total population of residents of the city as determined by the most recent federal decennial census for which the redistricting data described in Public Law 94-171 are available.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an incarcerated person, as that term is used in Section 21003, shall not be counted towards a city’s population, except for an incarcerated person whose last known place of residence may be assigned to a census block in the city, if information about the last known place of residence for incarcerated persons is included in the computerized database for redistricting that is developed in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 8253 of the Government Code, and that database is made publicly available.

(b) The council shall adopt council district boundaries that comply with the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).

(c) The council shall adopt district boundaries using the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:

(1) To the extent practicable, council districts shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not contiguous.

(2) To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. A “community of interest” is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.

(3) Council district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, council districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the city.

(4) To the extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subdivision, council districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.

(d) The council shall not adopt council district boundaries for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

(e) Subdivision (c) does not apply to a charter city that has adopted comprehensive or exclusive redistricting criteria in its city charter. For purposes of this subdivision, “comprehensive or exclusive” means either that the city’s charter excludes consideration of redistricting criteria other than those that are identified in the city charter or that the city’s charter provides two or more traditional criteria for redistricting other than the requirement that districts be equal in population.

(f) For purposes of this article, “adopt” or “adoption” in regard to council district boundaries means the passage of an ordinance or resolution specifying those boundaries.

21629.

 (a) If the council does not adopt council district boundaries by the deadlines set forth in Section 21622, the council shall immediately petition the superior court in the county in which the city is located for an order adopting council district boundaries. If the council does not petition the superior court within five days after the deadline, any resident of the city may file that petition and shall be entitled to recover the resident’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the city for doing so.

(b) (1) Upon finding that a petition filed pursuant to subdivision (a) is valid, the superior court shall adopt council district boundaries in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 21621, which shall be used in the city’s next regular election. The superior court may also order the adjustment of electoral deadlines as necessary to implement the new council district boundaries in the next regular election.

(2) The superior court may appoint a special master to assist the court with adopting the council district boundaries. The city shall pay the cost for the special master and associated costs.

(3) The superior court or the special master shall hold one or more public hearings before the superior court adopts the council district boundaries.

(4) Subject to the approval of the superior court, the special master may employ redistricting experts or other consultants or counsel, independent experts in the field of redistricting and computer technology, and other necessary personnel to assist them in their work. In addition, the special master may seek the full cooperation of the city in producing and using whatever data, computer models and programs, and technical assistance that was made available to the council and city personnel who are knowledgeable in the mechanics of drafting redistricting legislation. The superior court may assist the special master in securing the necessary personnel and the physical facilities required for their work, and to prepare for the prompt submission to the city of a request for city funding for the necessary expenses of the special master and the special master’s staff.

(5) The council district boundaries adopted by the superior court shall be immediately effective and shall have the same force and effect as an enacted resolution or ordinance of the city council.

(c) This section does not apply to a charter city that has adopted in its city charter a different method for adopting city council district boundaries when a redistricting deadline is missed.

22000.

 (a) Each district required by its authorizing act to adjust division boundaries pursuant to this section shall, by resolution, after each federal decennial census, and using that census as a basis, adjust the boundaries of any divisions so that the divisions are, as far as practicable, equal in population and in compliance with Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United States Code, as amended, to the extent those provisions apply. In adjusting the boundaries of the divisions, the board may give consideration to the following factors: (1) topography, (2) geography, (3) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (4) community of interests of the division. This section does not apply to divisions in which only landowners vote for directors or whose directors are all elected at large or appointed.

(b) The resolution specified in subdivision (a) shall be adopted by a vote of not less than a majority of the directors.

(c) At the time of, or after, any annexation of territory to the district, the board of directors shall designate, by resolution, the division of which the annexed territory shall be a part.

(d) No A change in division boundaries may shall not be made adopted within 180 days preceding the election of any director.

(e) (1) A change in division boundaries shall does not affect the term of office of any director.

(2) If division boundaries are adjusted, the director of the division whose boundaries have been adjusted shall continue to be the director of the division bearing the number of his or her that director’s division as formerly comprised until the office becomes vacant by means of term expiration or otherwise, whether or not the director is a resident within the boundaries of the division as adjusted.

(f) The successor to the office in a division whose boundaries have been adjusted shall be a resident and voter of that division.

(g) A district is not required to adjust the boundaries of any divisions pursuant to this section until after the 2000 federal decennial census.

(h) Nothing in this This section shall not be construed to prohibit or restrict a district from adjusting the boundaries of any divisions whenever the governing body of the district determines by a two-thirds vote of the governing body that a sufficient change in population has occurred that makes it desirable in the opinion of the governing body to adjust the boundaries of any divisions, or whenever any territory is added by or excluded from the district.

22000.1.

 Notwithstanding any other date specified in law, the board of directors of a district that is required to adjust division boundaries after each federal decennial census shall adopt the adjusted boundaries of the divisions not later than prior to 180 days before the district’s next regular election occurring after January 1 of each year ending in the number two.

22001.

 Before adjusting the boundaries of a division pursuant to Section 22000 or 22000.1 or for any other reason, the governing body of the district shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposal to adjust the boundaries of the division prior to the public hearing at which the governing body votes to approve or defeat the proposal.

61026.

 In the case of a board of directors elected by divisions or from divisions, the board of directors shall adjust the boundaries of the divisions before November 1 of the year following the year in which each decennial census is taken. following each federal decennial census in accordance with Section 22000.1 of the Elections Code. If at any time between each decennial census, a change of organization or reorganization alters the population of the district, the board of directors shall reexamine the boundaries of its divisions. If the board of directors finds that the population of any division has varied so that the divisions no longer meet the criteria specified in subdivision (d) of Section 61025, the board of directors shall adjust the boundaries of the divisions so that the divisions shall be as nearly equal in population as possible. The board of directors shall make this change within 60 days of the effective date of the change of organization or reorganization.

6592.

 In the case of a district board elected by election divisions, the district board shall adjust the boundaries of the election divisions following each decennial federal census, federal decennial census in accordance with Section 22000.1 of the Elections Code. If at any time between each decennial federal census a change of organization alters the population of the district or the district increases or decreases the number of members of the district board, the district board shall reexamine the boundaries of its election divisions. If the district board finds that the population of any election division has varied so that the divisions no longer meet the criteria specified in subdivision (c) of Section 6591, the district board shall adjust the boundaries of the election divisions so that the divisions shall be as nearly equal in population as possible. The district board shall make this change within 60 days of the effective date of the change of organization or an increase or decrease in the number of members of the district board.

13847.

 In the case of a district board elected by election divisions, the district board shall adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1 of the year following the year in which each decennial federal census is taken. following each federal decennial census in accordance with Section 22000.1 of the Elections Code. If at any time between each decennial federal census a change of organization alters the population of the district or the district increases or decreases the number of members of the district board, the district board shall reexamine the boundaries of its election divisions. If the district board finds that the population of any election division has varied so that the divisions no longer meet the criteria specified in subdivision (d) of Section 13846, the district board shall adjust the boundaries of the election divisions so that the divisions shall be as nearly equal in population as possible. The district board shall make this change within 60 days of the effective date of the change of organization or an increase or decrease in the number of members of the district board.

5785.1.

 (a) In the case of a board of directors elected by divisions or from divisions, the board of directors shall adjust the boundaries of the divisions before November 1 of the year following the year in which each decennial census is taken. following each federal decennial census in accordance with Section 22000.1 of the Elections Code. If, at any time between each decennial census, a change of organization or reorganization alters the population of the district, the board of directors shall reexamine the boundaries of its divisions. If the board of directors finds that the population of any division has varied so that the divisions no longer meet the criteria specified in subdivision (f) of Section 5785, the board of directors shall adjust the boundaries of the divisions so that the divisions shall be as nearly equal in population as possible. The board of directors shall make this change within 60 days of the effective date of the change of organization or reorganization.

(b) In the case of a board of directors that has been appointed by more than one county board of supervisors or city council, the board of directors shall adjust the proportionate distribution of the appointments before November 1 of the year following the year in which each decennial census is taken. If at any time between each decennial census, a change of organization or reorganization alters the population of the district, the board of directors shall reexamine the proportionate distribution of appointments. If the board of directors finds that the population of the district has varied so that the distribution of appointments is no longer proportionate, the board of directors shall adjust the proportionate distribution of appointments accordingly. The board of directors shall make this change within 60 days of the effective date of the change of organization or reorganization. The county board of supervisors or city council shall appoint members to the board of directors as vacancies occur.