On June 6, 2018, the Santa Clara County Superior Court issued a ruling stating that the City of Santa Clara’s current way of electing its council members in City-wide elections is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. The Court will hold an additional trial beginning July 23, 2018 to determine the judicial remedy for this violation. The Court has indicated that it may order that for the November 2018 election for the two Council seats that are up for election that candidates will not be elected on a City-wide basis, but by district elections.
On June 26, 2018, the Court issued an Order regarding the Schedule for the Remedies Phase of Trial: http://santaclaraca.gov/home/showdocument?id=58277. The Order requires the City to take immediate actions to hold (4) four public hearings before July 22, 2018 for the purpose of receiving public input on potential district maps for the election of Council members.
A change in elections by district will be a substantial change in how Santa Clara voters elect their Council members. If the Court orders district elections, the voters will only be able to elect one council member who lives in the same district as those voters.
Community Input – Get Involved
The City of Santa Clara encourages your participation in this process to create potential new districts in the City of Santa Clara. We recognize that this is a very short time frame to receive your input, but given the importance of this change, we urge you to attend the upcoming public hearings and to stay informed by checking the City’s website at www.santaclaraca.gov/districts. To provide public input in writing, you may email your comments directly to: districts@santaclaraca.gov
OR fill out comments online on a survey: https://www.opentownhall.com/6467
Public Meetings
July 3, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara
July 5, 2018 – 4:30 p.m. Central Park Library, Redwood Room, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara
July 11, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara
July 21, 2018 – 11:00 a.m. Northside Library Community Room, 695 Moreland Way, Santa Clara
To arrange for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in this public event, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220 at least three business days before the event.
Maps and Demographics
A professional demographer will utilize the City’s demographic information to prepare draft single member district maps. The draft district maps will be published on this webpage for public review at www.santaclaraca.gov/districts.
Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee
The Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee has been created to hold and conduct the districting public hearings. The committee members are made up of residents who also currently serve on established boards and commissions.
- Yuki Ikezi (Chair)
- Stephen Ricossa
- Barbara “Bobbi” A. Estrada
Questions / More Information
For additional information or any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220 or email districts@santaclaraca.gov 
