§ 11.09. Redistricting criteria.

• A. The commission shall draw its final map so that:

  1. Council districts are substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution. Population equality shall be based on the total population of residents of the City as determined by the latest federal decennial census.

  2. Council district boundaries comply with the United States Constitution, theCalifornia Constitution, the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, and any other requirement of state or federal law applicable to charter cities.

• B. The commission shall adopt district boundaries using the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:

  1. To the extent practicable, council districts shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by a railyard or a highway are not contiguous.

  2. To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood, local neighborhood association boundaries, or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. A "community of interest" is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.

  3. Council district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, council districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the City.

  4. Where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subdivision, council districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.

  5. Other commission-adopted criteria that do not conflict with the other requirements and criteria listed in this section or with state or federal law.

• C. The commission shall not adopt council district boundaries for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

• D. The commission shall not consider place of residence of any individual, including any incumbent or political candidate, in the creation of a map.

(Added by Measure R in the General Municipal Election on November 3, 2020)