Redistricting

Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

City of Merced Redistricting Process

Every ten years, local governments use new census data to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. Assembly Bill 849 (2019) requires cities and counties to engage communities in the redistricting process by holding public hearings and/or workshops and doing public outreach, including to non-English-speaking communities.

Districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each city councilmember represents about the same number of constituents. In Merced, the City Council is responsible for adopting council districts.

Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is expected to be released in late September of 2021. For the City of Merced, the redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022. 

Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a councilmember. The City Council has decided to move forward in forming a Redistricting Advisory Committee, which is made up of members of the public, to provide input in selecting the next district map for our council districts. You have an opportunity to share how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.

  • City's 2016 Council Districts here.
  • City's current Council Districts here.
  • Council Member District Map and contact information here

To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria:

  1. geographically contiguous districts (each city council district should share a common border with the next),
  2. the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division,
  3. geographic integrity of a city shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division, 
  4. easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.),
  5. lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

City Council will reach out to local media to publicize the redistricting process. Also, the City will make a good faith effort to notify community groups of various kinds about the redistricting process. Our public hearings and workshops will be provided in applicable languages for residents who submit a request in advance of the hearing.


Contact City Clerk's Office

Please send any questions you may have, or any map suggestion(s) you wish to make to cityclerk@cityofmerced.org; or contact the City of Merced Clerk’s office by phone (209) 388-8650.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Download Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Download Windows Media Player Word Viewer Download Word Viewer Excel Viewer Download Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer Download PowerPoint Viewer