Article 1. General Law Cities of California Elections Code >> Division 21. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 1.

This article applies only to general law cities electing members of the legislative body by districts or from districts, as defined in Section 34871 of the Government Code.

Following each decennial federal census, and using that census as a basis, the council shall, by ordinance or resolution, adjust the boundaries of any or all of the council districts of the city so that the council districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10301 of Title 52 of the United States Code, as amended. In establishing the boundaries of the council 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 council districts.

The boundaries of the council districts shall be adjusted by the council before the first day of November of the year following the year in which each decennial federal census is taken. Notwithstanding Article 2 (commencing with Section 34870) of Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 4 of the Government Code, if the council fails to adjust the boundaries prior to the 90th day before the final date for registration of electors for an election of council members in the city, each council member to be elected at that election and at any succeeding election shall have the qualifications required by Section 34883 of the Government Code, but shall be elected at large. Council members shall continue to be so elected until the council adjusts the boundaries of the districts.

If at any time between each decennial federal census, a city annexes territory or consolidates with another city, the legislative body of the city annexing the territory or the legislative body of the consolidated city, shall reexamine the boundaries of its council districts after the first census is taken or the first current population estimates are obtained, following the annexation or consolidation. If upon reexamination, the legislative body finds that the population of any council district has varied so that the districts no longer meet the criteria specified in Section 21601, the legislative body shall, within 60 days after the census is taken, or current population estimate received, by ordinance or resolution, adjust the boundaries of any or all of the council districts of the city so that the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be.

Any person claiming that the estimates of population used in the redistricting pursuant to Section 21603 do not reflect the current population within the district boundaries more accurately than the most recent census data, may commence an action in the superior court in declaratory relief to determine that fact. The action shall be brought within 42 days after the adoption of the redistricting ordinance or resolution.

The council may appoint a committee composed of residents of the city to study the matter of changing the boundaries of the council districts. The committee shall make its report to the council of its findings on the need for change of boundaries, and the recommended changes by the first day of August of the year following the year in which the decennial federal census is taken. Recommendations of the committee are advisory only.

(a) The term of office of any council member who has been elected and whose term of office has not expired shall not be affected by any change in the boundaries of the district from which he or she was elected.
  (b) At the first election for council members in each city following adjustment of the boundaries of councilmanic districts, a council member shall be elected for each district under the readjusted district plan that has the same district number as a district whose incumbent's term is due to expire.
  (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a change in the boundaries of a council district shall not be made within 90 days prior to the final date of voter registration for an election of council members in the city or between the municipal primary election and the general municipal election.

Before adjusting the boundaries of a district pursuant to Section 21601, 21603, or 21604, or for any other reason, the council shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposal to adjust the boundaries of the district prior to the public hearing at which the council votes to approve or defeat the proposal.