District Mapping Process Seeks Residents’ Input

PALM SPRINGS — Like Indio and Cathedral City, the city of Palm Springs is transitioning from at-large to district elections and the City Council encourages residents to be involved in the district mapping process while providing input about their communities of interest.

Residents are invited to attend two public workshops to learn more about a district mapping tool so they can create and submit a map to the City Council. Spanish language interpreters will be available. In addition, residents can also submit a paper district map.

The two workshops are scheduled for the following dates:

• Tuesday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m., James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 Tramview Road.
• Wednesday, Aug. 29, 6 pm, Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Mesquite B.

Residents can also click here to try out the district mapping tool. The deadline to submit a map is Monday, Sept. 17. Map submissions should be emailed to CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov.

In addition to mapping, residents are also encouraged to submit their feedback and comments regarding communities of interest to
CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov.

The City has engaged a demographer to document voting patterns by ethnicity and geography, and will share results at upcoming meetings. In addition, extensive community outreach is underway in order to ensure residents, particularly Latinos and others in underserved communities, are informed about the City Council’s transition to a district-based
electoral process.

Palm Springs has long prided itself on being one of the most welcoming and inclusive communities in the country, Communications Director Amy Blaisdell said in a prepared statement. The city is committed to civil rights and ensuring equity and diversity among elected officials and Boards and Commissions, while maximizing the goals of the California Voting Rights Act, she said.

Other goals of the transition include prioritizing the creation of majority/minority districts, keeping organized neighborhoods intact (when practical), and ensuring the best interest of the city as a whole remains the first responsibility of all elected officials.

Additional meetings and public hearings regarding the district process and form of government will be held this fall. The entire process will be completed by Dec. 31, 2018.

For the latest information and the list of public meetings, visit here.