City Council Election System Changes Project CVRA
Presentation Overview» Project Overview» Small Group Exercise Method to elect the mayor Factors to consider when drawing districts» Opportunities for Public Input» Next Steps
Why change the electoral system?» At-large voting systems are targets of CVRA litigation» No city has won a CVRA lawsuit» Court decisions remove local authority» CVRA litigation is expensive» City received a letter alleging CVRA violations in October 2018
Existing Council Electoral System» At-large Council election system» 7 numbered Council seats» Council term = 4 years» Mayor serves two-year term
What is the CVRA?» Prohibits voting systems that dilute the votes of racial minorities» Prohibits at-large elections that impair the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice» Has a safe harbor which allows districtbased election systems as the remedy
What is the CVRA?» Need only prove there is racially polarized voting» CVRA violations can occur regardless of whether: Protected class forms the majority of eligible voters No proof of intent to discriminate No history of discrimination» Since 2002, at least 60 Cities have changed from atlarge to district-based election systems
Sunnyvale Demographics 13.9% 33.3% Sunnyvale Citizen Voting Age Population 2016 3.3% 0.6% 0.4% 0.5% 48.0% Non-Hispanic White Asian Hispanic/Latino Black Native American Pacific Islander Other
Project Process» Phase 1: February through June 2019 Educate community about the project: CVRA and potential remedies Existing demographics Seek input on: Potential remedies» Phase 2: July through December 2019 Develop district maps
Engaging All Demographics» Spread meetings throughout city» Outreach at places of worship, low income neighborhoods, and ethnic events» Advertise in ethnic media» Provide translation and interpretation» Offer supervised children s activities and refreshments
Citizens Advisory Committee» Plays an advisory to: Provide feedback on outreach plans Communicate potential changes to the electoral system Serve as project ambassadors» CAC to represent the City s geographic, ethnic, and social diversity
Online Engagement» Asking for input on: 1. Method to elect mayor 2. Factors to consider when drawing districts 3. Future redistricting process
Redistricting Oversight» Future redistricting could be overseen by: City Council Advisory Committee Independent Commission Other» To provide input on this topic, visit the online engagement portal: https://www.placeworkscivic.com/project/sunnyvaleelections
Small Group Goals» Provide input on: Method to elect the mayor Factors to consider when drawing districts
Small Group Agenda 1. Brief introductions 2. Small group discussion 3. Identify group spokesperson 4. Reports back to large group
Process to Elect Mayor» Select the mayor from within the Council Council selects mayor Seven total districts District population would be approximately 21,951 (+/-)» Hold a separate city-wide election for mayor Residents elects mayor who represents an at-large district Six total districts District population would be approximately 25,609 (+/-)» Other?
Council District Criteria» Population size is primary criteria» Other criteria to consider: Visible boundaries Cohesiveness of a geographic area Communities of interest Similar voting choices of past elections Future population growth
Small Group Exercise Materials» Community Input Survey» Communities of Interest Mapping Exercise» Pens and Markers
Reports Back to Larger Group» Each group should identify a spokesperson to report back to the larger group» When reporting back: Provide an overview of the small group discussion Note areas of consensus or differing opinions
Opportunities for Public Input» Pop-up Events (see backside of agenda)» Online Engagement» Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Monday, June 3, 6:00 PM
Next Steps» May 2019: Summarize all input into a final report» June 2019: Present final report to CAC and City Council» July through December 2019: Work with demographer to create draft district maps
Help Spread the Word» Online engagement exercises» Encourage friends and family to participate» Share more ideas and thoughts after tonight s meeting
www.sunnyvaleelections.org
City Council Election System Changes Project CVRA