21600. (a) This article applies to a general law city that elects members of the city’s legislative body by districts or from districts, as defined in Section 34871 of the Government Code. (b) This article shall not be interpreted to limit the discretionary remedial authority of any federal or state court. (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 90, […]
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 […]
21602. (a) (1) For redistricting occurring in 2031 and thereafter, the boundaries of the council districts shall be adopted by the council not later than 205 days before the city’s next regular election occurring after January 1 in each year ending in the number two. (2) For redistricting occurring before 2031 and where a city has a regular […]
21603. (a) If the boundaries of a city expand by the addition of new territory, including through annexation of unincorporated territory or consolidation with another city, the council shall add that new territory to the nearest existing council district without changing the boundaries of other council district boundaries. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the council may adopt new […]
21605. (a) After redistricting or districting pursuant to Section 21601 or 21603, a council shall not adopt new council district boundaries until after the next federal decennial census, except under the following circumstances: (1) A court orders the council to redistrict. (2) The council is settling a legal claim that its council district boundaries violate the United States […]
21606. (a) The term of office of any council member who has been elected and whose term of office has not expired shall not be affected by any change in the boundaries of the district from which the council member was elected. (b) At the first election for council members in each city following adoption of the […]
21607. Before adopting the boundaries of a council district pursuant to Section 21601 or 21603, or for any other reason, the council shall hold public hearings on the proposal in accordance with Section 21607.1. This section does not apply when a city transitions from at-large to district-based elections. (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 90, Sec. […]
21607.1. (a) Before adopting a final map, the council shall hold at least four public hearings at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of one or more council districts. (1) At least one public hearing shall be held before the council draws a draft map or maps of the proposed council boundaries. […]
21608. (a) The council shall take steps to encourage residents, including those in underrepresented communities and non-English speaking communities, to participate in the redistricting public review process. These steps shall include a good faith effort to do all of the following: (1) Providing information to media organizations that provide city news coverage, including media organizations that serve […]
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 […]
