Woodland Municipal Code Art. 2 Election of City Council

"By district,"

as used in this chapter, shall mean election of members of the City Council by voters of the district alone.

"Geographical area making up the district"

shall mean the district.

(Prior code § 27-2-1)

Pursuant to Government Code Section 34871(a), the City of Woodland is divided into five Councilmanic districts.

(Prior code § 27-2-2)

Descriptions of the boundaries of each district and their numbering are as shown on the attached Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 1735 along with a map entitled "City of Woodland District Map," a copy of which shall be on file in the City Clerk's office.

(Prior code § 27-2-3; Ord. 1721, 5/21/2024; Ord. 1735, 3/18/2025)

Members of the City Council shall be elected "by districts" as provided in California Government Code Sections 34881 through 34833. Each district shall elect one Council member. Except as provided in Section 1.16.140, a Council member of each district must live in that district and must be a registered voter in that district to be eligible to hold office for that district. Only voters who live in a district shall be eligible to vote in the election for Council member of that district.

(Prior code § 27-2-4)

Pursuant to Elections Code Section 21601, as it may be amended, the City Council shall adjust the boundaries of any or all of the districts following each decennial Federal census. Using the census as a basis, the City Council shall adjust the boundaries so that the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as practicable and in compliance with all applicable provisions of law. Any adjustment of district boundaries shall be made by ordinance adopted by the City Council before the first day of November of the year following the year in which each decennial Federal census is taken. Prior to the public hearing approving the adjustment of the district boundaries, the City Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed district boundaries as required by Elections Code Section 21607.

At the time of any annexation of territory to the City, the City Council shall designate, by resolution adopted by a vote of at least a majority of the City Council, the contiguous district to which the annexed territory shall be a part and shall amend the district boundaries if necessary in accordance with Elections Code Section 21603, as it may be amended.

Pursuant to Elections Code Section 21606, the term of office of any Council member who has been elected and whose term of office has not expired shall not be affected by any change in the boundaries of the district from which he or she was elected, whether or not that Council member is a resident within the boundaries of the district as adjusted. At the first election for Council following adjustment of the boundaries of the districts, a person meeting the requirements of Government Code Section 34882 shall be elected to the City Council for each district under the readjusted district plan that has the same district number as a district whose incumbent's term on the Council is due to expire.

(Prior code § 27-2-5)

A period of transition from at large elections to district shall occur from the time of approval of this article by the voters in November 2014 to the municipal election in 2016. Three Council members shall be elected by district in 2016, and two shall be elected by district in 2018. The City Council shall adopt an ordinance setting forth the timing and sequence of the elections by district. Each incumbent Council member elected at large shall be allowed to complete the term for which they are elected regardless of the district of residency so long as they otherwise remain eligible to hold the office and have not been removed for cause or elected to another office.

(Prior code § 27-2-6)

During the initial City Council election where the City Council members are elected by district, in 2016, the members of the City Council shall be elected from the districts numbered 2, 4, and 5. For the second City Council election where City Council members are elected by district, in 2018, the members of the City Council shall be elected from the districts numbered 1 and 3. Each Council member elected pursuant to this section shall serve a term of four years.

(Prior code § 27-2-7)