OVERVIEW OF THE REAPPORTIONMENT PROCESS
BACKGROUND
Citizens of the city of Bakersfield are represented by a Mayor and seven (7) City Council members. The Mayor is elected at large by all of the city's citizens, while City Council members are elected by and represent a smaller portion of the city's population by areas identified as Wards. To maintain equal representation, the City's Charter states that each Ward reflect as nearly as possible, equal populations.
After every Federal decennial census, population numbers are used under state and federal law for apportionment of political districts such as congressional and senate districts, supervisorial districts, and City Council Wards. In March 2011, the federal census released the 2010 population results for California and Bakersfield's official population was listed at 347,483. In accordance with the Charter, the population in each Ward should equal a population of 49,460. Since the last reapportionment in 2006, the city has grown by over 42,000 people, predominantly in the northwest and southwest areas. Therefore, most Ward populations now vary significantly either above or below the desired average (see table below):
|
CURRENT TOTAL POPULATION |
OVER/UNDER
AVERAGE |
WARD 1 |
51,283 |
1,643 |
3.31% |
WARD 2 |
40,123 |
-9,517 |
-19.17% |
WARD 3 |
44,814 |
-4,826 |
-9.72% |
WARD 4 |
57,864 |
8,224 |
16.57% |
WARD 5 |
46,177 |
-3,463 |
-6.98% |
WARD 6 |
50,105 |
465 |
0.94% |
WARD 7 |
57,117 |
7,477 |
15.06% |
TOTAL |
347,483 |
|
|
Average Ward population = 49,640
PURPOSE OF REAPPORTIONMENT
Reapportionment of the City Council Ward boundaries is to accomplish equality of population as closely as possible to ensure adherence to the one-person, one-vote doctrine. Deviation from the average population for each Ward is acceptable if reasonably based upon certain criteria (ie. topography; geography; cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of Ward territory; and community interests within the Ward). As a general rule that was established under legal case law, a deviation of 0 - 5% is construed as very reasonable, a deviation of up to 10% can occur without formal justification, a deviation of 10% - 16.4% can occur, but only if formal justification based on the criteria is established, and a deviation above 16.4% is intolerable. The Bakersfield City Council intends to limit the population deviation between each Ward to less than 5%.
CONCEPT MAPS
Concept maps have been prepared that balance Ward populations within the 5% deviation threshold. Concept Maps 1 thru 3 were provided to the City Council at their meeting of August 17, 2011 as a starting point in which to explore various options and generate discussion for public review and comment over the next few months. Additional maps have been created and are listed below. A final reapportionment map must be adopted before the next Ward election, which occurs in late 2012.
Copies of these maps, including the current Ward boundaries, are available at no cost at the Bakersfield City Clerk's Office located at City Hall North, 1600 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor (8 am - 5 pm), or electronically using links below.
City Council Administrative Reports
Questions or comments, please contact:
Name: Jim Eggert, Planning Director
Phone: (661) 326-3754
Fax: (661) 852-2136
E-Mail: jeggert@bakersfieldcity.us
Address: Bakersfield Planning Department
1715 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
