What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the regular process of adjusting the boundary 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 ten years once the results of the U.S. Census are released so that each district is substantially equal in population. This ensures that each council member represents about the same number of constituents.

Because history has seen public agencies redraw district boundary lines to influence elections, favor a particular party or suppress a group’s voting power, or gerrymandering, all district boundary lines must be reviewed to meet strict requirements for balanced population 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 Vallejo, the City Council is responsible for approving the drawing of the district boundaries. Our redistricting process must be completed no later than April 17, 2022.