The City of Santa Ana is holding public meetings regarding the Ward Map re-boundary process

City of Santa Ana

Community: City Ward Map Re-Boundary Process

The City of Santa Ana encourages the public to participate in the decision-making process. The following information is being provided so that you can ask questions, make comments and stay informed about the proposed Ward re-boundaries that may be important to you. We encourage you to contact us prior to the meetings, if you have any questions.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The Santa Ana City Council will hold a series of Community Meetings and Public Hearings to consider modifying the Ward boundaries to comply with both the Federal and California law, including the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

The Ward boundaries were last modified in January of 2012. Since then, the City received correspondence asserting that the City’s current at-large electoral system, whereby council members are elected by all of the city electors, violates the CVRA because it allegedly does not allow Asian-Americans (a protected class) to elect candidates of their choice or otherwise influence the outcome of Santa Ana’s council elections. Following receipt of this correspondence, the City Council decided to place a charter amendment on the November 6, 2018 General Municipal Election so that the electors of the City can decide whether to change the method of electing council members to a by-ward system where each council member is required to reside in the ward he or she represents and is elected solely by the electors of that ward. The City Council will consider changing the Ward boundaries to ensure that they are consistent with Federal and State law, including the CVRA. This re-boundary process will consist of a number of community meetings and public hearings to allow interested persons to give input on ward boundaries.

Community Meetings

The Community Outreach Meetings will begin with an educational presentation to inform the public about the transition to by-ward elections and the City’s process for adopting ward boundaries. The Demographer will present sample mapping proposals at the Community Outreach Meetings, including Plan D included as part of Item 75B of the City Council’s May 15, 2018 meeting, and solicit community feedback.

The first Community Meeting will be held the week of August 27th with specific date, time and location to be posted on the City’s website. (Draft Maps available on the City’s website at: http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/coc/documents/PlanDraftsA-D-lettersize.pdf)

Meetings will be held on:

• Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal, 1025 W. Memory Lane, Santa Ana, CA
• Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 6 p.m. at Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, CA
• Monday, September 10, 2018 at 6 p.m. at Delhi Community Center, 505 E. Central Ave, Santa Ana, CA
• Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Salgado Recreation Center 706 N. Newhope St., Santa Ana, CA

To submit your “Community of Interest” map, please click here.

Schedule of Public Hearings

The City Charter requires that Ward boundaries be of equal population and that the City Council hold at least one (1) public hearing to consider modifying those boundaries. The City will hold four (4) public hearings to consider ward boundaries over the next several months. The first two hearings are critical in that they will explain the re-boundary process, review the criteria used to modify Ward boundaries, and allow residents to submit their ideas for potential boundary lines. These two hearings will culminate in the development of proposed new Ward map(s). The remainder of the hearings will be to consider the proposed map(s), select the preferred map, and adopt the final new Ward map. The Public Hearing schedule is as follows:

Two (2) Public Hearings to review the Ward re-boundary process, hear from residents about their ideas for potential ward boundaries, and to receive City Council direction on the criteria to be considered for mapping of new Ward boundaries.

• Tuesday, September 4th at 5:45 p.m. – Regular City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA
• Tuesday, September 18th at 5:45 p.m. – Regular City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA

Two (2) Public Hearings to seek resident input on the content of the draft Ward map(s) and sequence of elections, select a preferred Ward map, and to introduce an ordinance for adoption.

• Tuesday, October 16th at 5:45 p.m. – Regular City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA
• Tuesday, October 30th at 5:45 p.m. – Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA
• Final adoption of ordinance setting the new boundaries for Wards. Pursuant to City Charter, approval of new Ward Boundaries require five (5) affirmative votes.
• Tuesday, November 20th at 5:45 p.m. – Regular City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA

For transparency and to encourage community participation, the City is providing information about the Ward re-boundary process on the City’s website and has set up a dedicated phone line in which residents may contact at (714) 647-2520.

How To Make Comments – Copy of map(s) to be considered by the City Council will be posted on this site, as they become available. If you do not wish to appear at the public hearing, you may also send your written comments to the Clerk of the Council, by mail to City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza – M30, Santa Ana, CA 92701 or via e-mail at ecomments@santa-ana.org.

Who To Contact For Questions – Should you have any questions, please contact the Clerk of the Council Office at 714-647-2520 or email Clerk of the Council, Maria Huizar mhuizar@santa-ana.org.

Where To Get More Information – All staff reports for City Council consideration are available for public inspection in the Clerk of the Council Office during regular business hours and posted on the City’s website the Friday before a Council meeting takes place.