Redistricting Process Set to Begin in Palm Springs

Numerous community workshops, public hearing scheduled to engage public in redistricting process

PALM SPRINGS — The redistricting process plays a critical role in the distribution of political power and it’s about to begin in this community — and several other desert communities that elect their leaders in districts.

The City of Palm Springs must reestablish city council district boundaries, creating council districts that are balanced in population and in accordance with local, state, and federal laws that govern the redistricting process.

Every 10 years, local governments use new data from the Census to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. The City of Palm Springs is asking for your help to plan, draw, and reapportion new City districts. Even though the City just transitioned to district based elections in 2018, it is still required to redraw the lines following the release of the 2020 Census Data.

The finalized maps that the pubic helps the city create will change how you elect your City Council Members for the next 10 years.

The city’s primary goal when drawing election districts is to draw lines that respect neighborhoods, history and geographical elements. So we want to know: What do you consider the boundaries of your neighborhood?

Some examples of communities of interest include shared geographic, socio-economic, and social interests.

Share your specific thoughts, draw a map or attend an upcoming public hearing to get involved.

You may find the public hearing schedule here.

You may find answers to frequently asked questions about the redistricting process here.

The City Council’s work will be in two phases:

• Phase 1 will occur November 2021 through Jan. 27, 2022 and consist of identifying communities of interest and developing district boundary maps.
• Phase 2 will take place Feb.  10 through March 24, 2022. The work will include refining and adopting a final district map.