Redistricting is the regular process of adjusting the lines of voting districts in accordance with population shifts. In California, public agencies and other organizations must redivide (or redraw) the lines of their districts every 10 years once the results of the Census are released so that each district is substantially equal in population. This ensures that each board member represents about the same number of constituents.
Because history has seen public agencies redraw district lines to influence elections, favor a particular party or suppress a group’s voting power, or gerrymandering, all district lines must be reviewed to meet strict requirements for population equality and voting rights protections. With the California Voting Rights Act, more than 500 jurisdictions in California must redistrict in 2021-2022.
In the City of Pomona, the City has created an Independent Redistricting Commission composed of interested community members, which is responsible for approving the drawing of the districts. Our redistricting process must be completed by May 12, 2022.
Pomona’s Independent Redistricting Commission is an independent body composed of 7 local community members, who will evaluate proposed maps and select a final map. The City’s Redistricting Commission will conduct regular public meetings once it is established, and each meeting will have opportunities for public comment.
Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a Council member. The City and the Commission will seek input in selecting the next district map for our districts. You have an opportunity to share how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.
You can contact the City Clerk at redistricting@pomonaca.gov to find out more about how the process works.
You can find a map of the City’s current council districts here.
To the extent practicable, in accordance with the FAIRMAPS Act (AB 849) and AB 1276, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria:
- Geographically contiguous districts
- The geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division,
- Easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.), and
- Lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
The City and the Commission will reach out to local media to publicize the redistricting process. Also, we will make a good faith effort to notify community groups of various kinds about the redistricting process. Our public hearings and workshops will be provided in applicable languages if residents submit a request in advance.
The City and the Commission will notify the public about redistricting hearings and workshops, post maps online before adoption, and keep this website up to date with relevant information about the redistricting process. Continue checking this website for more information and resources.
The City’s Redistricting Commission will be holding both hearings and workshops to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. As dates are determined for hearings and workshops, that information will be posted to the Schedule section of this webpage. Please continue to check this website for updates throughout the redistricting process.
These are standard categories included in the Census. Not all of the categories are relevant for creating district maps. Acronyms include:
- NH: Non-Hispanic
- VAP: Voting age population
- CVAP: Citizen Voting Age Population
- CVRA: California Voting Rights Act
- NDC: National Demographics Corporation (the firm hired by the County to create the maps)
No, but you can draw boundaries for just the district where you’d like your neighborhood to be or any part of the City.
Once submitted, maps are considered public records. The City will post all legally-compliant submitted maps on its website.
There are a number of online publications and guides to redistricting. You can start with this one from MALDEF and the NAACP, or this (long) one from the Brennan Center, this one from the League of Women Voters, or this FAQ from the California Independent Redistricting Commission.