City Clerk's Office
Redistricting
The City of Elk Grove contracted with Redistricting Partners to provide redistricting consulting services. Redistricting Partners provided an open, community involved process as detailed on this web page, and compiled and presented final maps for City Council approval on July 13, 2011. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2011-142 finalizing the redistricting process.
Follow the links below to learn about the project and the process.
- What is Redistricting?
- Why is Redistricting Necessary?
- How is Redistricting Done?
- What is a Census Block?
- Analysis of prior Five District map using 2010 Census data
- Analysis of 2010 Demographics
- Communities of Interest
- Frequently Asked Questions (May 2, 2011)
- 2011 Timeline of Redistricting
City Staff Contact:Jason Lindgren |
Redistricting Partners Contact:Matt Rexroad |
What is Redistricting? |
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Redistricting is a process in which a governmental entity seeks to create representative districts of roughly even sizes. The district boundaries must be ultimately drawn in conjunction with federal and state law so that the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended (the Voting Rights Act). In establishing the boundaries of the districts the Council may give consideration to the following factors:
(a) topography,
(b) geography,
(c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and
(d) community of interests of the districts.
Why is Redistricting Necessary? |
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Redistricting is required by state law after every census in any governmental body where the officials are elected from districts. California Elections Code section 21600 requires all cities to redistrict after each Federal decennial census using “that census” as a basis so that the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be possible, and to “comply with the applicable provisions of Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended (the Voting Rights Act).
When Elk Grove incorporated the City was designed to have five Council districts requiring candidates to reside from their respective district, with elections held at-large. With the passage of Measure K in November 2010, Elk Grove will reduce the number of council districts from five to four, and the City will now popularly elect a Mayor at-large at the November 2012 General Municipal Election.
Redistricting is being conducted to balance Elk Grove into districts of roughly even sizes based on 2010 census data. Redistricting will also change the number of districts from five to four, and will effectively alter district boundaries which effects the residency requirement for individuals who would consider to be candidates for elective office in the City of Elk Grove. Redistricting is also required in preparation of consolidating elections with Sacramento County for the November 2012 General Municipal Election.
How is Redistricting Done? |
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The City has contracted with Redistricting Partners to facilitate public input on Redistricting. A series of workshops are scheduled to receive community input, and interested citizens can contact Redistricting Partners, City Staff, and/or attend workshops and City Council meetings to participate in the process.
At its essence, redistricting is about drawing district boundaries. To get to the point of drawing equitable, legal districts, factors that require community input include establishing criteria for districts (equal population, acceptable deviations from average, even distribution of demographics), identifying communities of interest, and reviewing proposed district boundaries for adequacy and appropriateness.
All proposed district maps will also be evaluated for adequacy and appropriateness purely based on census statistics and the census block data contained within the proposed district.
The Elk Grove City Council will approve a district boundary map which will be submitted for use in the 2012 General Municipal Election
What is a Census Block? |
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In essence, the smallest unit of tabulated census data that comprise the building blocks of establishing districts. Census Blocks are statistical areas bounded by visible features, such as streets, roads, streams, and railroad tracks, and by nonvisible boundaries, such as selected property lines and city, township, school district, and county limits and short line-of-sight extensions of streets and roads. Generally, census blocks are small in area; for example, a block in a city bounded on all sides by streets. Census blocks in suburban and rural areas may be large, irregular, and bounded by a variety of features, such as roads, streams, and transmission lines. In remote areas, census blocks may encompass hundreds of square miles. Census blocks cover the entire territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. Census blocks nest within all other tabulated census geographic entities and are the basis for all tabulated data.
City of Elk Grove
2010 Census Block Population Map
Based on 2010 Census data, tabulation geography is represented through Census Tracts, Census Block Groups, and individual Census Blocks. Census Blocks are the smallest unit of tabulation geography, and are used in computing numbers for districts as proposals are considered. Below is a map delineating the Census Blocks of Elk Grove:
Analysis of prior Five District map using 2010 Census data |
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Below are maps of population growth based on 2010 census numbers compared to 2000 census numbers.
City wide growth
Analysis of 2010 Demographics |
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Below are maps of demographic densities based on the 2010 census numbers.
African American: 17,478 - 11.22%
Asian: 40,261 - 26.31%
Latino: 27,581 - 18.03%
Communities of Interest |
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Communities of interest are any area sharing some common quality. Communities of interest can be comprised of many things: neighborhoods, churches, school districts, parks, and businesses. A good district takes into account many factors. One of the most important is communities of interest.
This map allows you to see population blocks in order to help understand how a district could be drawn with various areas tied together.
City of Elk Grove
Population by 2010 Census Block Group
Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: How can I participate in drawing maps for city council districts?
A: Attend any one of the four redistricting hearings taking place at the City Hall Chambers in May. Scheduled hearings are to take place on May 6, 5-7 p.m.; May 14th, 10-12 p.m.; May 18th, 1-3 p.m.; and May 23rd, 6-8 p.m.
Q: Why are there only four (4) city council districts being drawn in this round of redistricting?
A: In the November, 2010 elections Elk Grove passed Measure K by a large Margin. Measure K took the current system of five council districts with a rotating mayor responsibility and changed the city to four council seats with a popularly elected (citywide election) mayor.
Q: How many people make up a City of Elk Grove council district?
A: Elk Grove is comprised of 153,015 residents according to the 2010 Census. That means each council district should have 38,254 residents.
2011 History of Redistricting |
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March 23, 2011:
Redistricting Partners selected as the City contractor to provide Redistricting and Demographic Services.
April 27, 2011:
Introduction at City Council Meeting of Public Outreach Workplan, and analysis of current five district configuration in light of 2010 census data.
May 6, 2011:
First of four Public Workshops, 
Flyer / Presentation. The workshop was attended by twelve (12) members of the public and local media. Workshop participants submitted the following maps for consideration:
May 14, 2011 (Saturday 10 a.m. to noon):
Second of four Public Workshops, Flyer / Presentation. The workshop was attended by four (4) members of the public and local media. Workshop participants submitted the following maps for consideration:
May 18, 2011 (Wednesday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.):
Third of four Public Workshops, Flyer / Presentation. The workshop was attended by ten (10) members of the public and local media. Workshop participants submitted the following maps for consideration:
May 18, 2011 (Wednesday 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.):
Live City Chat about redistricting was held on Elk Grove Online (www.elk-grove.com). View the transcript of the event:
May 23, 2011 (Monday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.):
Last of four Public Workshops, Flyer / Presentation. The workshop was attended by fourteen (14) members of the public. Workshop participants submitted the following maps for consideration:
Additional Maps Submitted to Date:
Maps that have been submitted after the May 23, 2011 workshop are displayed below:
June 8, 2011 regular City Council Meeting (Wednesday, meeting start time 6:00 p.m.)
Redistricting Partners presented to the City Council the feedback received at the May workshops, and provided analysis of submitted material for Council consideration. The Council requested Maps 1 and 9 be returned for consideration.
July 13, 2011 regular City Council Meeting (Wednesday, meeting start time 6:00 p.m.)
Maps 1 and 9 were submitted for Council review, along with comments including recommendations by Sacramento County and City staff to align maps with agency systems and guidelines:
The Council approved a final map, establishing district numbering, and confirming elections would be held "from districts" in four districts, with an elective mayor, for submittal to the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The district map will be the basis for qualifying nominees for candidacy in July/August 2012 for the November 2012 General Municipal Election, for Council Member Residency Districts 1 and 3, and the office of the elective mayor.
District number assignments will be implemented upon certification of the November 2012 General Municipal Election results.
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