HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 08-027RESOLUTION NO. 08-027
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
ENDORSING THE CALIFORNIA VOTERS FIRST ACT
WHEREAS, the current redistricting process creates a conflict of interestas state legislators are
effectively choosing their own constituents; and
WHEREAS, the redistricting process should be conducted in an open manner with real
opportunities for public dialogue and feedback, not behind closed doors; and
WHEREAS, public input and involvement in the redistricting process will empower our
communities from the start by allowing communities to elect representatives who represent their interests
on issues that are important to their lives; and
WHEREAS, the boundaries of state districts are currently drawn by legislative incumbents, often
sacrificing the integrity of neighborhoods and cities; and
WHEREAS, important principles such as the protections of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965
and respect for neighborhoods and cities should be clearly listed for a Commission to abide by;
WHEREAS, voters are more likely to participate when they feel that their vote will count and that
they have a reasonable chance of electing candidates who represent their interests; and
WHEREAS, elected officials are more responsive to constituents when voters have a choice of
candidates, thus increasing accountability and serving the best interests of the voters of California; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saratoga City Council does endorse the California
Voters FIRST Act which will enact the following amendments into the Constitution and relevant State
law:
1. The state of California should establish an independent commission, representative of
California's diversity, partisan balance, and geography, for all future redistricting. This Commission will
draw the lines of the state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts.
2. This Commission should be comprised of 14 members, with a balance of 5 members of the
largest party, 5 from the second largest party, and 4 who are registered with neither. The vote to pass any
plan should require a majority from each of these three.
3. District boundaries should be drawn by the Commission according to clearly described
criteria, including respect for:
a. The U.S. Constitution's requirement of one person, one vote;
b. The Voting Rights Act (VRA);
c. Contiguity requirements (to draw districts as one connected area where possible);
d. Communities of interest, city and county boundaries;
e. Compactness, where this does not conflict with the above criteria;
f. Nesting, where this does not conflict with the above criteria.
4. The Commission should not draw maps based on the addresses of any individual,
including an incumbent officeholder.
5. The Commission should conduct a transparent redistricting process with full opportunities
for public participation. All redistricting plan information should be available in a timely fashion, free of
charge, via a public website and other means.
6. Members of the Commission must be prohibited from all off-the-record communications
with anyone (including lobbyists, political party officials, elected officeholders and candidates), except
staff and legal counsel.
Redistricting should occur once every 10 years following the decennial U.S. Census and
Congressional Reapportionment.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Saratoga on the 7th day of
May 2008 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Jill Hunter, Aileen Kao, Kathleen King,
Vice Mayor Chuck Page, Mayor Ann Waltonsmith
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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Ann Waltonsmith, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ann Sullivan, CMC
Acting City Clerk