Sonoma Report
The City of Cloverdale has begun considering a district-based election system for its five-member City Council, which is currently elected at large by voters throughout the city.
Under the proposed system, Cloverdale would be divided into separate districts. Each district would elect one councilmember, who would live in and be chosen by voters from that district.
The city said it is pursuing the change in response to the threat of costly litigation alleging violations of the California Voting Rights Act. The city also said other communities in Sonoma County and across California have made similar transitions in recent years.
Cloverdale has scheduled five public hearings for the process. The first, held July 22, focused on public comments about how districts should be composed and where boundaries might be drawn. A second hearing on Aug. 12 had the same purpose, without maps available for review.
Maps prepared by the city’s demographic consultant and members of the public are scheduled to be presented at the Sept. 9 hearing. The City Council is expected to consider selecting a final map and introducing an ordinance at a Sept. 23 hearing. The fifth hearing, scheduled for Oct. 14, is set for adoption of the ordinance implementing the district map.
Residents may participate by attending the hearings, submitting written comments or proposing maps. The city has made available online and paper-based mapping resources, including tools for drawing full district plans or identifying communities of interest. Paper materials include population information based on census blocks, as well as maps showing roads, schools, parks and other features.
Proposed maps can be submitted to the city for review. Demographic consultants will then prepare population and other demographic information for submitted plans. The city has asked residents to include explanations of how their proposed boundaries reflect neighborhoods or other communities of interest.
The hearing schedule is tentative and may change, according to the city.