SECTIONS 21620-21620.1 - California Statutes

ELECTIONS CODE

SECTION 21620-21620.1

21620. If the members of the governing body of a chartered city are
nominated or elected "by districts" or "from districts," as defined
in Section 34871 of the Government Code, upon the initial
establishment thereof, the districts shall be as nearly equal in
population as may be according to the latest federal decennial census
or, if the city's charter so provides, according to the federal
mid-decade census or the official census of the city, as provided for
pursuant to Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 40200) of Part 2 of
Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code, as the case may be.
After the initial establishment of the districts, the districts shall
continue to be as nearly equal in population as may be according to
the latest federal decennial census or, if authorized by the charter
of the city, according to the federal mid-decade census. The
districts shall comply with the applicable provisions of the federal
Voting Rights Act of 1965, Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United
States Code, as amended. In establishing the boundaries of the
districts, the council may give consideration to the following
factors: (1) topography, (2) geography, (3) cohesiveness, contiguity,
integrity, and compactness of territory, and (4) community of
interest of the districts.

21620.1. The governing body shall hold at least one public hearing
on any proposal to adjust the boundaries of a district prior to a
public hearing at which the council votes to approve or defeat the
proposal.