City of Seal Beach Redistricting Process Every ten years, local governments use new census data to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. Assembly Bill 849 (2019) requires cities and counties to engage communities in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and/or workshops and doing public outreach.
What is redistricting? Every ten years, districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each city councilmember represents about the same number of constituents. In Seal Beach, the City Council is responsible for re-adopting council district boundaries based on current U.S. Census data. For the City of Seal Beach, the redistricting process must be completed by April 18, 2022.
Why does redistricting matter to me? Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a councilmember. The City Council and the Redistricting Subcommittee of the City Council will seek input in selecting the next district map for our City Council. You have an opportunity to share with the City Council and the Redistricting Subcommittee how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community. You can contact the City Clerk at gharper@sealbeachca.gov to find out more about how the process works.
What do the existing council districts look like? You can find a map of the City’s current council districts here: https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/City_Council_District.pdf.
What criteria will our City Council use when drawing district lines? To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria: (1) voting districts must be geographically contiguous (all areas of a voting district must be touching or in contact on all or most of one side); (2) voting district boundaries must be geographically compact; and (3) voting districts must provide fair representation on the City Council. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
How will our City notify the public about redistricting? The City will reach out to local media to publicize the redistricting process. Also, the City will make a good faith effort to notify community groups of various kinds about the redistricting process. The City’s public hearings will be provided in applicable languages if residents submit a request in advance. The City will notify the public about redistricting hearings, post maps online before adoption, and post relevant information about the redistricting process on this webpage.
How can I get involved? The City Council and the Redistricting Subcommittee of the City Council are holding virtual public hearings to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. Those hearings will be held on:
Public Hearings
Date
Public Hearing No. 1 – Council Meeting
Monday, December 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Public Hearing No. 2 – Redistricting Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Public Hearing No. 3 – Redistricting Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Public Hearing No. 4 – Council Meeting
Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
You can also submit public comments and input, including suggested draft maps, by emailing: gharper@sealbeachca.gov.
Public Hearings Public Hearing No. 1: December 13, 2021, 7:30 p.m. https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agendas-Notices-Meeting-Videos/Council-Commission-Meetings Public Hearing No. 2: February 15, 2022, 6:00 p.m. https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agendas-Notices-Meeting-Videos/Council-Commission-Meetings Public Hearing No. 3: February 22, 2022, 2:00 p.m. https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agendas-Notices-Meeting-Videos/Council-Commission-Meetings Public Hearing No. 4: February 28, 2022, 7:30 p.m. https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agendas-Notices-Meeting-Videos/Council-Commission-Meetings
Draft Maps & Population Analysis City Council District Map NDC's Population Analysis Orange County 2020 Census Demographic Profiles