San Mateo Approves Map For New District Elections

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo City Council approved a new district election map at its meeting Monday as the city transitions to electing councilmembers by district rather than at-large.

Beginning in Nov. 2022, the city would be divided into five districts. Three of the districts would vote in 2022 for one councilmember who lives in their district, and the other two would vote in 2024.

Previously, councilmembers were elected at-large in San Mateo. If the ordinance passes, future councilmembers must live in the district that they wish to represent.

The decision to switch to district election came after the city received a letter form an attorney asserting that its at-large election system may violate the California Voting Rights Act.

Monday’s meeting was the final public hearing before the council votes on the ordinance.

During these hearings, the council reviewed the composition and number of districts, provided direction for draft maps to be drawn, incorporated comments and suggestions through the public process and deliberated on various options of the districting map.

Click here for more information on the redistricting process.