Redistricting confusion for voters

    A unfortunate outcome of redistricting in Chico has made headlines. It's been discovered that some people are unable to vote for a council member in their district in the Nov. 8th election. Also, a small few will be able to vote for two different council members. The City of Chico issued a press release on Monday discussing the details of how this happened and why it will happen to only some members of certain districts in the upcoming ballot.

https://chico.ca.us/sites/main/files/file-attachments/10-17-22_press_release_-_election_update_with_map_0.pdf?1666052411

    In 2020, the city of Chico switched to district based voting, and with that also voted in a new district map as well. From the press release: "Following the 2020 census, as required under the California Election Code and the City of Chico City Charter, boundary line modifications were made to all districts. This resulted in having some voters being moved from their 2020 Districts into new Distrcts for the 2022 election."i

    There are a few key factors at play here. First, some members who are now part of the new district 3 but were not in district 3 back in 2020, will not be able to vote for a representative. Those that are in a new district now but were also in district 3 back in 2020, will find they can vote for two representatives. This is due to those voters who now reside in district 2, are also part of the special election for residing members of district 3 in 2020.

    This special election is due to the original councilor Kami Denlay who resigned in June of 2021. While only temporary, Dale Bennett was selected to take her place. By order of State Law, the original residents of district 3 can appoint a councilor of their choice and will have to do so in the 2022 election. 

    With the combination of by district voting, a resignation of a councilor, and the recent district changes, some people will not get to vote for a council member. It should be noted that all ballots are in compliance with the city charter and state law. Chico City Clerk Debbie Presson reassures that "The city of Chico elections will be back on track with the 2024 election, with the newly drawn districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 up for election at that time.”

https://www.chicoer.com/2022/10/19/district-change-leaves-some-without-vote/