Politics & Government
Pleasanton Election Overhaul: Council To Take First Step Tuesday
Here's how you can make your voice heard as the city looks to revamp its election process.
PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton City Council on Tuesday will hold the first legally mandated public hearing before it can draw districts and switch from at-large to district elections.
On Sept. 21, the council formally decided to transition to district elections, which means the city is divided into districts, with each area being represented by a council member residing inside.
The position of mayor will remain at-large and elected by the entire city.
Find out what's happening in Pleasantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
California law mandates the city holds at least two public meetings within 30 days of one another before any district map can be drawn. The city is encouraging the public to give its input.
A staff report for Tuesday's meeting says the city will spend $50,000 for outside legal counsel and a demographer to assist the making boundaries. Based on the council's direction and public input, the demographer will draft one or more maps to bring back to the council for final approval.
Find out what's happening in Pleasantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The law requires each district to have roughly the same population. Race can't be the predominant factor and, to the extent practicable, districts should be geographically contiguous and respect the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest.
State law also says district boundaries can't be drawn to favor one political party.
Other public hearings will be held Jan. 18 and Feb. 3. The final map would likely be voted on at the Feb. 24 council meeting. The transition will be done in time for the 2022 elections.
The Pleasanton City Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The meeting can be viewed on the city's YouTube channel or by going to https://cityofpleasanton.zoom.us/j/91294937422.
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