City of Berkeley, CA

01/21/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2022 11:16

Review the first set of draft City Council district maps (1/21/2022)

Press Contact: Matthai Chakko, For media inquiries, (510) 981-7008

REVIEW THE FIRST SET OF DRAFT CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT MAPS
Give input via email, mail, or January 27th meeting

Berkeley, California (Friday, January 21, 2022) - Check out and give feedback on four draft maps proposing potential boundaries for City Council Districts for the next decade. See which neighbors you'd be connected to.

These maps - drawn by an independent commission that used public input -- connect different parts of Berkeley in different ways, but they each:

  • create contiguous districts of similar size
  • strive to keep communities of interest together
  • use major streets as boundaries when possible
  • eliminate prior boundaries drawn to preserve a prior councilmember's residence
  • include one compact student district

The four maps were drawn at the direction of the Independent Redistricting Commission, a body created by Berkeley voters to create more politically neutral boundaries.

These four maps reflect different possibilities. Check them out online or in person. Give feedback via email, mail, or at an upcoming Zoom meeting.

See different proposed maps

Each proposed map uses different principles.

The Orange Map has a high level of continuity with the existing council district boundaries. This map maintains general consistency for Districts 3 - 8, with significant changes to Districts 1 and 2 in West Berkeley.

The Maroon Map creates a draft map that shows variations on two student-focused districts. This map shows West Berkeley in its current configuration of two districts.

The Blue Map shows variations on two student-focused districts, and Commission direction to show a map with a north to south orientation for a single West Berkeley District.

The Amber Map responds to the direction of the Independent Redistricting Commission to create a draft map that has a high level of continuity with the existing council district boundaries and includes changes only as needed to meet the six universal map criteria.

You can also see printed draft maps:

Review the submitted City Council district maps

When reviewing maps, keep these general requirements in mind:

  • Is the population in each district nearly equal?
  • Do the boundaries keep neighborhoods together?
  • Are communities with common interests kept together in one district?

Give input at upcoming meetings or via email or mail

You can give feedback at meetings, in writing, or virtually.

Four virtual public meetings are scheduled to get your input before adopting the final map.

  • Input on draft maps: Thursday, January 27, 6:00 pm
  • Input on draft maps: Thursday, February 17, 6:00 pm
  • Input on final map: Monday, February 28, 6:00 pm
  • Adoption of the final map: Wednesday, March 16, 6:00 pm

More meetings may be added to the schedule, so please join our redistricting mailing list to stay connected.

You can also provide comments by:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Mail: City Clerk Department, 2180 Milvia Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704

More about redistricting

City Council districts are redrawn every 10 years, adjusting to population changes identified in the Census. Previously, district boundaries were decided by the City Council. Now, an independent commission made up of community members is deciding the map boundaries.

Your feedback will help ensure that maps are drawn with many perspectives. Share your thoughts and help ensure fair districts for all.

Links:

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