City Council Election Districting
At its Regular Meeting of January 11, 2022, the City Council adopted a resolution expressing its intent to initiate procedures for establishing and implementing by-district elections for Council Members. The purpose of this page is to assist residents of El Monte on understanding the process and how to weigh-in before the process is completed.
WHAT DOES DISTRICT-BASED ELECTIONS MEAN?
Like many other cities, El Monte is undertaking a transition from at-large elections to district-based elections, which would split the city into multiple city council districts of roughly equal population. Currently, El Monte City Council members are elected at-large by the entire city, meaning that every City Council member is voted on by the entire city. District-based elections would change that, and instead have each City Council member elected directly by residents of their own City Council district. The Mayor, however, who also serves on the City Council, will continue to be elected at-large
A fuller explanation can be viewed in this Powerpoint Presentation.
WHY IS EL MONTE UNDERGOING THIS PROCESS?
El Monte is striving to align with California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) requirements that discourage cities from using at-large voting systems that impair the ability of legally recognized protected classes of voters from electing candidates of their choice or otherwise influencing the outcome of an election. Protected classes include members of the same race, color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, age (over 40), and disability.
To ensure that other potentially marginalized communities of interest in the City have the ability to elect candidates who can best represent their interests and concerns, El Monte will create six (6) City Council districts of roughly equal population after receiving community input and feedback on proposed maps.
By moving to six (6) City Council districts, the residents of El Monte will elect a Councilmember that resides within that district which will encourage attention to more local issues and more accountability.
WHERE ARE WE IN THIS PROCESS?
At the March 29th Public Hearing, The El Monte Council selected this map from a total of 19 maps submitted by the public and the City’s demographer. An ordinance reflecting the City Council chosen map and related sequencing for the phase-in of by-district elections was approved for first reading following a public hearing held March 29, 2022.
On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the City Council will consider the same ordinance for final adoption (second reading). Once adopted the process for approving the transition will be complete.
APRIL 5, 2022 @ 7:00PM: Second reading, approval of ordinance approving district elections ordinance.
EM-Public Hrg Notice 6 - Districting Process English
EM-Public Hrg Notice 6 - Districting Process Spanish
EM-Public Hrg Notice 6 - Districting Process Chinese
EM-Public Hrg Notice 6 - Districting Process Vietnamese
MEDIA COVERAGE
San Gabriel Valley Tribune: El Monte moves ahead with by-district voting process; some on Council decry timetable
Mid Valley News: El Monte continues public hearings on move from at-large to district-based voting
Los Angeles Times en Espanol: ¿Qué es la distritación y cómo funciona? Residentes de El Monte están a punto de atravesar el proceso (What is districting and how does it work? El Monte residents are about to go through the process - Loose Translation)
San Gabriel Valley Tribune: El Monte continues public hearings on move from at-large to district-based voting
California City News: City of El Monte Begins Process to Draw Maps for District Elections
La Opinion: Autoridades buscan escuchar la voz de los residentes de El Monte(Authorities seek to hear the voice of El Monte residents - Loose Translation)
US News Express: 艾尔蒙地选区重划 需要你的发声 (El Monte's Districting Needs Your Voice - Loose Translation)
World Journal: 艾爾蒙地分區選舉 3/1舉辦第2次公聽會 ( El Monte district election 2nd public hearing held on 3/1)