City of Burbank Council District Formation
October 4, 2023 Update
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023 the Burbank City Council unanimously declined to adopt the presented districting ordinance and directed staff to evaluate the availability and impact of cumulative voting within the City’s existing at-large elections. The unanimous motion made the following requests:
Contact the Los Angeles County Clerk regarding the feasibility of cumulative voting for residents and return with a first-step report on cumulative voting that addresses any expected impact on voter representation in Burbank.
Direct the Charter Review Committee to consider the size and composition of the City Council, consider various iterations of districts, the possibility of a separately elected Mayor, and a re-districting process.
Invite the prospective plaintiff to participate in the future discussion to ensure any potential outcome addresses the concerns posed by the initial notice.
Press Release: Burbank City Council Seeks Analysis of Alternative Council Election Processes
About
The City of Burbank is undergoing an exciting change intended to give residents a more powerful voice in local government. The City Council has unanimously decided to transition from the current at-large election of its members to election by districts. Under the new system, the City will be divided into districts of approximately equal population. Only voters who live within a district can vote for Council candidates who are also residents and voters of the same district. We invite you to learn more about the process and how you can get involved. We look forward to working together to make this transition a success!
How Did We Get Here?
The City of Burbank received a notice of a potential violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) on behalf of a voter in Burbank. The notice referenced that Latino voters are not being represented and their power is diluted. In January the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution initiating a transition to by-district election system.
March 14, 2023 Public Hearing Recording
January 24, 2023 Public Hearing Recording
The Districting Process
The City of Burbank, like many other cities in California, is changing how voters elect City Council representatives. Beginning in November 2024, Burbank residents will vote for one City Council member who lives within their district. With the help of the latest census data, district lines will be drawn to reflect the City’s neighborhoods, its values and its demographics.
Burbank is committed to making the districting process transparent and inclusive through multiple public hearings and community meetings seeking input from the public into the districting process. Further action is required by the City Council to (1) introduce an ordinance during the 4th public hearing approving the preferred districting map, and (2) adopt the ordinance during the 5th public hearing approving the preferred districting map.
Districting Criteria
To the extent possible, district lines will be adopted within the following criteria:
FEDERAL LAWS
Equal Population in each district
Comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act: avoid dividing any geographic concentrations of protected class voters or otherwise diluting their voting power
No racial gerrymandering: race can be one of many factors in the drawing of a map, but not the predominate factor
STATE LAWS
Geographically contiguous districts
Minimize division of neighborhoods and communities of interest
Use easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural/artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, etc.)
Lines are drawn to encourage geographic compactness
OTHER TRADITIONAL DISTRICTING PRINCIPLES
Respect voters’ choices and avoid unnecessary pairing of incumbents
Future population growth
Why is this important?
Your help is critical in shaping the final map that will define how residents elect their councilmembers in the future. The City of Burbank wants your input as we launch the City’s first ever districting process! This is your opportunity to have a voice in how future City Council districts are planned, drawn, and established.
The primary goal is to ensure new election districts respect and honor the unique characteristics of neighborhoods in Burbank. District boundaries should reflect the City’s rich history, geography, and diverse community.
What will change in Burbank?
Currently, Burbank voters may vote for as many Council candidates as there are open spots in a given election cycle. The current, five-person Council was chosen by all eligible voting residents. Under a new, by-district system, voters will elect a single councilmember who also lives in the same voting district as them.
The initial process (March – July) will draw a five-district map, consistent with the City’s current five-member Council, to bring the City into conformance with the California Voting Rights Act within a ‘safe harbor’ from litigation. A potential second phase (August – October) may arise to consider alternative configurations (such as six districts with a citywide-elected Mayor, seven districts, or some other approach) that could be placed on the March 2024 election ballot for voter approval or disapproval.
