June 17, 2021, Encinitas, CA – The City of Encinitas has begun the process of redistricting the City based on the 2020 census data. At their meeting on June 9, the City Council approved a timeline for the project.
In 2017, the City adopted Resolution 2017-82 declaring the City of Encinitas' intent to transition from an
at-large Council Member election system to a district-based Council Member election system. On November 15, 2017, the Council adopted Ordinance 2017-15 implementing district-based elections for Council Members. The districts were drawn based on the 2010 census data. The 2017 Voting District Map can be accessed here. Now that the 2020 census has been conducted and will be released later in October, the City of Encinitas must go through a process to re-evaluate its district boundaries to meet current laws.
Following every federal decennial census, local governments are required to commence a formal redistricting process as prescribed by the California Elections Code. As a consequence of the Legislature's significant revisions to the FAIR MAPS Act in 2020, Encinitas must follow a somewhat different process and different substantive criteria than those used to establish its current voting districts in 2017. It is therefore necessary for Encinitas to undertake a redistricting effort following the federal 2020 census that uses the specific procedures California law now requires.
On July 1st, the City will launch a website with an explanation of the redistricting process and procedures as well as a timeline of events, including opportunities for members of the public to testify and provide input through workshops and formal hearings. Residents will be able to submit public comments, including suggested draft maps, online. Throughout the process, the City will host workshops and public hearings to provide residents with information and solicit feedback. The first public workshop is tentatively scheduled for August 2021. The deadline for the Council to adopt the redistricting plan is April 17, 2022, with the first election using the new plan on November 8, 2022.
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