Elk Grove Seeking Public Input For 2012 Redistricting

Chandra Sharma (l) inputs a district map from resident Jake Allen

In the second of four planned workshops, the City of Elk Grove offered residents the opportunity Saturday morning to submit maps as to how new city council district lines should be drawn. 

The process is being conducted because the of legal requirements that districts be reapportioned every ten years. Another wrinkle to the Elk Grove's reapportionment is that the city will go from five districts to four with the fifth seat being occupied by a directly elected mayor based on the approval of last years city Measure K

Conducting all four meetings are the city's paid consulting firm, Redistricting Partners. "Redistricting is extremely important," Redistricting Partners representative Elizabeth Hansell told the handful of people attending the workshop. "It matters."

After hearing of the the various federal legal requirement, participants were given the opportunity to draw and submit maps that will be included in a report and recommendation that the consultants will submit to the city council. The city council will be given suggested maps during their July 13 meeting for consideration based on citizen input and analysis by the consultants.

The two next workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. and Monday, May 23 at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the city council chambers at city hall.