Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Adopting the 2021 Process Criteria for Redistricting City Council Boundaries
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
MEETING DATE: November 16, 2021
DEPARTMENT: City Attorney
CONTACT: Mark Houser, City Attorney
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Approve resolution
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The City Council has certain responsibilities for redistricting under federal and state law including Amendments 14 and 15 to the United States Constitution, U.S.C.A.; section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, 52 U.S.C.A. §10301; City Charter Chapter III, Section 10; and Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. §§ 2058.001 and 2058.002.
• A review of the 2020 census data reveals that a population imbalance exists among the City’s councilmember districts requiring redistricting of those districts.
• It is the intent of the City to comply with the Voting Rights Act and with all other relevant law, including Shaw v. Reno jurisprudence.
• A set of established redistricting criteria will serve as a framework to guide the City in the formulation and consideration of districting plans.
• Redistricting criteria will provide the City a means by which to evaluate proposed plans.
• Redistricting criteria will assist the City in its efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state laws.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: N/A
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A