City of Berkeley Redistricting
Redistricting is redrawing or adjusting of electoral district boundaries to ensure districts are balanced with the same number of residents. Every 10 years, the City of Berkeley reviews its Council district boundaries to account for shifts and changes in the population. The redistricting process is based on the population figures provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. The next round of redistricting will occur after the 2020 Federal Census is completed.
Citizens Redistricting Commission
On November 8, 2016, Berkeley voters approved Measure W1, amending the City’s Charter to transfer responsibility for drawing electoral boundaries from the City Council to an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (the “Commission”). Composed of thirteen members with broad community representation, the Commission will act as an independent body to engage the public and adopt an updated map of City Council district boundaries.
The community will provide verbal and written input on the redistricting process, including submitting their own maps. The Charter also provides impasse procedures if a final map cannot be agreed upon. Read more about the Commission and the redistricting process in the City's Citizens Redistricting Commission Plan (PDF).
Application Process
You can apply for the Citizens Redistricting Commission beginning September 8, 2020. Please check back later for more information. For questions, email the City Clerk Department at commission@cityofberkeley.info or call (510) 981-6900.
