Residents, civic groups press council over proposed redistricting advisory commission

Councilmembers and dozens of residents spent more than two hours debating a proposed charter change that would create a seven‑member Citizen Redistricting Advisory Commission.

Supporters including Councilmember Carvassi and Vice President Maxwell said the measure would lock in a process meant to increase public input and reduce politics in map drawing. “We want people that are not political,” a co‑sponsor said during the dais discussion, arguing the measure limits campaign staff and politicos from serving on the panel. Proponents described the proposal as a way to ensure a transparent, recurring public process every 10 years.

Opponents — from the League of Women Voters to local redistricting volunteers — testified that the draft falls short of an independent commission. “This is not an independent redistricting commission,” Amy Arambula told the council during public comment, saying the current language would only create an advisory body whose members are nominated by councilmembers and whose recommendations the council could ignore. Speakers repeatedly objected to eligibility rules (requiring voting in recent primaries or long residency) that they said would exclude new voters, young people and low‑propensity voters.

Council questions centered on legal compliance and details: the city attorney advised that substantial changes would likely require additional readings; several councilmembers asked staff to draft amendments that would tighten independence — for example, by expanding prohibitions on recent campaign staff or consultants. The council did not finalize the measure at the meeting and directed further work and legal review, leaving timing and final language unresolved.