The Fullerton City Council is expected to select a district map Tuesday that will be on the ballot in November when residents will decide whether to move the city to a council-district electoral system.
David Ely, of Compass Demographics, has drawn up several different maps for the council’s consideration. Ely has also been working with Garden Grove and Anaheim in their shift towards district-based elections.
The move towards district-based voting is the result of a settlement reached last July after the American Civil Liberties Union and Asian Americans Advancing Justice sued the city, alleging that the current at-large electoral system disenfranchises Asian Americans and other minorities.
The city is 22.8 percent Asian and 34.4 percent Latino, according to the 2010 Census.
Since public outreach began last September, at least 5 members of the public have also submitted maps that will be examined by the council.
At the April 19 meeting, a map favored by nearly every resident who spoke during the public hearing was presented to the council. Working alongside Ely, resident Jeanette Vazquez drew the map, which also garnered support from the plaintiffs. Vazquez’ original map was modified through the rounds of community hearings the city held on the issue.
(The final version, map “2B” can be viewed here.)
The final public hearing and the city’s decision on district voting is scheduled to happen shortly after 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers located at 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Spencer Custodio is a Voice of OC intern. Please contact him at Scustodio21@csu.fullerton.edu.