REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Submitting a Ballot Measure(s) for a Charter Amendment on the November 6, 2018 Election regarding District Elections
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 6, 2018, the Santa Clara County Superior Court issued a ruling stating that the City of Santa Clara's current way of electing its council members in City-wide elections is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). On June 26, 2018, the Court issued an Order regarding the Schedule for the Remedies Phase of Trial. The Court will hold the remedies phase of the proceedings beginning July 18, 2018.
In accordance with the Court's orders following two public hearings, the Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee and staff, submitted five maps by the set deadline of July 6, as follows:
a) One 2-District Map (the same map previously approved by the Council based on the recommendation of the Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee. Under this map, City Council Members would be elected by two districts (Districts 1 and 2) with three Council Members representing each district;
b) Two 3-District Maps. Under these maps, City Council Members would be elected by three Districts (Districts, 1 2 and 3) with two Council Members representing each district;
c) Two 6-District Maps. Under these maps, City Council Members would be elected by six districts (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) with one Council Member representing each district.
These City's map options were developed with data from the 2010 census, as required by law, and previously public input received for the development of the 2-district map. It is extremely important to note that a re-districting process for the 2020 Census would be legally required and it is unknown whether a Court remedy will impact the November 2020 election and/or future elections in Santa Clara.
At the third public hearing held on July 11, 2018, the professional demographer presented an Amended 6-District Draft Plan 3 to take into account the school bo...
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