Map generated for creating city council districts shows distribution of El Cerrito renters

This map was created by Redistricting Partners, the firm hired to help El Cerrito create districts for electing city council members. It shows the distribution of renters in El Cerrito.

Cities have to follow certain criteria when they create voting districts. One of those criteria is keeping together “communities of interest” - residents who have something in common. Clustering together renters in one or more districts is one of the most frequently used communities of interest.

The City Council is expected to vote July 7 on a map dividing the city into five districts and to decide which three districts will select their council members first. Beginning with the 2028 election, council candidates must live in a particular district and be elected by voters in that district only.

The two maps the city is currently considering cluster renters into two districts, generally along San Pablo Avenue:

Map A2

Map C3

(Scroll down within each link past the map for more information.)

Cities throughout California have been moving to electing city council members by district since passage of the California Voting Rights Act in 2002, with the transition happening more quickly in larger cities. The intent of the law is to protect the rights of minority voters.  El Cerrito’s transition was triggered by a March letter submitted by an attorney on behalf of an anonymous resident stating the city is out of compliance with the act. 

 Redistricting Partners

More about El Cerrito’s transition to district elections