City of Chula Vista
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What is Districting?
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Federal Decennial Census to count population throughout the country, as required by the United States Constitution. Among other uses, this information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes. The results of each Census are released the following year.
In 2012, the City’s Charter was amended by the voters to provide that City Councilmembers be elected by geographical district beginning with the 2016 election. In 2014, the first City of Chula Vista Districting Commission was established, and the Council approved the Commission’s Recommended Districting plan on July 14, 2015.
How Does Redistricting Work?
City Charter section 300.5(A)(2) calls for redistricting within one year of receipt by the City of the final Federal Decennial Census information. A Redistricting Commission is formed to adjust the boundaries of the four City Council districts and approve a Recommended Districting Plan that is submitted for consideration to the City Council for adoption. With the assistance of staff and consultants, the Commission oversees a process for holding public meetings, proposing districts, conducting public outreach, and finalizing recommendations to submit to the City Council.
What is the Criteria for the Districts?
City Charter Section 300.5(F) requires the Commission and City Council to adhere to the following criteria in considering and approving or disapproving any Districting Plan:
(1) District shall have reasonably equal populations as required by the Federal and State constitutions.
(2) District boundaries shall be geographically compact and contiguous.
(3) District boundaries shall follow visible natural and man-made features, street lines and/or City boundary lines whenever possible.
(4) District boundaries shall respect communities of interest to the extent practicable. A community of interest is defined as a geographic area comprised of residents who share similar interests including, but not limited to, social, cultural, ethnic, geographic or economic interests, or formal government or quasi-governmental relationships, but not including relationships with political parties, incumbents, or candidates.
(5) District boundaries shall be drawn without regard for advantage or disadvantage to incumbents or challengers.
(6) District boundaries shall be drawn without regard for advantage or disadvantage to any political party.
Districting Commissions