City of Concord needs your help drawing redistricting maps
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 5, 2021) — Every 10 years, local governments use new data from the Census to consider whether to redraw district lines reflecting how local populations have changed.
Concord first drew the boundaries for its five districts with community input and adopted them in early 2018. Now that the City has new demographic data from the 2020 Census, the City Council must publicly review these boundaries and consider whether to adjust them.
State law requires cities and counties to engage communities in the redistricting process. They do this by holding public hearings and doing public outreach. This must include underrepresented and non-English-speaking communities. The City of Concord asks for your help to determine the necessity of planning, drawing, and redividing new City districts.
The finalized maps that you will help create will define the five City of Concord district borders. These new districts will impact how you elect your Councilmembers for the next 10 years.
The primary goal when developing election districts is to draw lines that respect neighborhoods, history and geographical elements. It’s important that the City hears your thoughts on these defining aspects of our community. For example, what do you consider the boundaries of your neighborhood?
How to participate
The City has set up a redistricting section on their website. Share your specific thoughts, draw a map, or attend an upcoming workshop to get involved.
- Submit written testimony about the process or a specific map to Redistricting@cityofconcord.org
- Click on the “Schedule” tab to see the calendar of workshops and public hearings at which you can speak about the process or a specific map.
- Click on the “Draw a Map” tab for information on drawing and submitting maps.
At the hearings and workshops, you can:
- Share your story
- Define your neighborhood or community of interest
- Explain why redistricting is relevant to your community
- Get the tools you need to draw a map of one district or of all seven districts
- Share your opinions of the draft maps
- Talk to your neighbors and local organizations
The City Council will hold hearings and community meetings to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. Those hearings and community meetings will occur between Nov. 2, 2021 and April 2022. Check the Redistricting web page to find specific dates, times and locations. You can also submit public comments, including suggested draft maps, by email.