After each decennial census, local governments must use new census data to redraw their City Council district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. Federal law requires that districts be nearly equal in population. The Fair Maps Act, Assembly Bill 849 (2019) requires cities and counties to engage their communities in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and/or workshops and doing public outreach, including to non-English-speaking communities.

David Ely of Compass Demographics, the firm that assisted the City in establishing its first City Council district map is guiding the City in establishing district boundaries based on the 2020 Census and in compliance with state and federal law.

In accordance with the City’s redistricting community engagement plan, the City conducted a public workshop on Saturday, January 29, 2022.  Members of the community were encouraged to participate and provide input on the City Council election district map for the redistricting process. 

During the workshop, Mr. Ely provided an overview of the redistricting process and the laws that apply to redistricting, including consideration of criteria such as geography, communities of interest, easily identifiable boundaries, and compactness.  He also reviewed the current City Council district map and shared that when the final 2020 Census data was published, it showed only a modest increase in the City’s population leaving the existing City Council voting districts well within allowable population parameters.  

Mr. Ely went on to provide instructions on how the public can use mapping tools posted on the City’s redistricting webpage to create and submit proposed district maps and explanatory comments about plans that are submitted.  The workshop was fully recorded on Zoom and can be accessed at the following link: https://ggcity.org/redistricting.

During the redistricting workshop, several speakers spoke in favor of adjusting boundaries between existing Districts 3 and 4 so that the districts would be separated horizontally along Garden Grove Boulevard rather than vertically along Brookhurst Street.  Speakers noted this would keep important communities of interest together, including Little Saigon, mobile home parks, multi-family residences, and lower–income populations.  

During the workshop, Mr. Ely requested that anyone interested in providing maps email the City Clerk at cityclerk@ggity.org no later than the last public hearing date scheduled on March 8, 2022.  He emphasized that the earlier proposed maps and related comments are submitted the better, so they can be included in the various considerations through the redistricting process. 

A map of the current City Council districts and adjusted 2020 population information are attached.  At this time, the City has not received any proposed maps from members of the public. 

Next Steps

The City’s redistricting process is outlined in the City’s community engagement plan below and posted on the City’s webpage https://ggcity.org/redistricting.  The webpage will continue to be updated as the City proceeds through the redistricting process, including posting all district map submittals.

Funds for the redistricting process and related district map updates are included in the current FY 2021-22 City budget. 

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Receive a report from David Ely, Compass Demographics, on community participation and feedback related to the redistricting process post 2020 Census;
• Conduct the second public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries.