Court Ordered Council Districting Process

What You Need to Know

On June 6, 2018, the Santa Clara County Superior Court issued a ruling stating that the City of Santa Clara’s current way of electing its council members in City-wide elections is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. The Court will hold an additional trial beginning July 23, 2018 to determine the judicial remedy for this violation. The Court has indicated that it may order that for the November 2018 election for the two Council seats that are up for election that candidates will not be elected on a City-wide basis, but by district elections.

On June 26, 2018, the Court issued an Order regarding the Schedule for the Remedies Phase of Trial. The Order requires the City to take immediate actions to hold (4) four public hearings before July 22, 2018 for the purpose of receiving public input on potential district maps for the election of Council members.

A change in elections by district will be a substantial change in how Santa Clara voters elect their Council members. If the Court orders district elections, the voters will only be able to elect one council member who lives in the same district as those voters.

Community Input - Get Involved

The City of Santa Clara encourages your participation in this process to create potential new districts in the City of Santa Clara. We recognize that this is a very short time frame to receive your input, but given the importance of this change, we urge you to attend the upcoming public hearings and to stay informed by checking this webpage for updates. 

To provide input on a one-question survey, visit www.santaclaraca.gov/opencityhall

To provide public input in writing, you may email your comments directly to: districts@santaclaraca.gov

Maps and Demographics

A professional demographer will utilize the City’s demographic information to prepare draft single member district maps. The draft district maps will be published on the website for review at www.santaclaraca.gov/districts

Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee

The Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee has been created to hold and conduct the districting public hearings. The committee members are made up of residents who also currently serve on established boards and commissions.

• Yuki Ikezi (Chair)
• Stephen Ricossa
• Barbara "Bobbi" A. Estrada

Questions / More Information

For additional information or any questions, please contact the City Manager's Office at (408) 615-2210 or email districts@santaclaraca.gov