Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-16 EC MEMOt MEMORANDUM TO: Election Commission Members FROM: Loucrishia Ellis , City Clerk DATE: February 16, 1995 SUBJECT: TELEPHONE POLL REGARDING REAPPORTIONMENT Council districts must be reviewed every four years in an effort to equalize the districts by number of registered electors and population . These districts must be reviewed by the Election Commission and your recommendation must be subm itted to Council. Council must in turn adopt an ordinance establishing the districts. The ordinance , by Charter, must be effective 6 months prior to the November 7, 1995 election . I obtained the registered voter figure for the November 8, 1994 election from Arapahoe County and the current districts meet the registered voter criteria . The Colorado Revised Statute has a population provision that case law supports, even though the prov ision is not made specifically applicable to municipalities. The requirement is that population in each d ist rict should not vary more than 5% from the total population divided by the number of districts. After studying the map with Planning Administrator Harold Stitt it became clear that , in order to meet the 5% variance requ irement exactly, we would have to divide a county precinct between City district lines. I feel it is imperative that that not happen as it can cause numerous problems during the election process. I submit that the current district l ines represent the "best case" scenario . The City Attorney's office has concurred with the suggestion that Council adopt the current district lines. I apologize for bringing this to you at the last minute , but I have had to wait for the population figures. Please review the attached Council Communication draft and advise as to whether you concur that this should be the Election Commission's recommendation. I would appreciate hearing from you by Friday, February 17th if possible, but by Tuesday the 21st at the latest, in order to process the ordinance in a timely manner. City Hall is closed Monday for President's Day. Also, if you have any questions, revisions or need further explanation please call me at 762 -2407 . Thank you! COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Date Agenda Item Subject February 27, 1995 INITIATED BY Election Commission STAFF SOURCE Reapportionment of City Council Districts Loucrishia A. Ellis, City Clerk/Election Commission Member COUNCIL GOAL AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION Resolution No. 20, Series of 1991, was adopted by City Council on February 19, 1991. This resolution officially postponed Council reapportionment until 1990 census data was available and redistricting by State and County was complete. Ordinance No. 6, Series of 1993 was adopted by Council on February 1, 1993 which established the current district boundaries. RECOMMENDED ACTION The Englewood Charter and case law requires that population and number of registered voters be reviewed every four years in an effort to equalize each of Englewood's Council Districts. We are addressing redistricting in 1995 in order to put the redistricting schedule back on track. The Colorado Revised Statutes has a population provision that case law supports, even though the provision is not made specifically applicable to municipalities. The guidelines stipulate that population should not vary in each district more that 5% from the total population divided by the number of districts. The Englewood Charter requires that the number of registered voters should vary no more than 15% between the highest and lowest Council District. The Election Commission is charged with reviewing and recommending reapport ionment to City Council. The Charter requires that reapportionment be in place six months prior to the November 7, 1995 General Municipal Election. The Election Commission recommends that no change be made to the District boundaries as the current districting, essentially, meets both the population and registered elector criteria and provides the best case scenario. The City Attorney's Office concurs. BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS, AND ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED POPULATION REGIBTEREDELECTORS (Based on 1990 Census -(Based on Arapahoe County Figures for 29,387) November 8, 1994 Election) 29,387 -:-4 = 7,347 7,347 IS THE IDEAL POPULATION FIGURE CALCULATED HIGHEST TO LOWEST THERE IS A 13.55% DIFFERENTIAL VARIANCE FROM DISTRICT IDEAL DISTRICT I 7,778 + 5.87% 4,524 II 7,381 + 0.46% 4,821 Ill 7,281 -0.90% 4,308 IV 6,947 -5.44% 4,983 Population -District I is .87% over maximum high (approximately 64 voters) District IV is .44% under minimum low (approximately 33 voters) The only way to modify the District lines to meet t he population crite ri a exactly would be to split a County precinct line between City districts which will prove to be detrimental t o both the City and County. Registered Electors -meets the criteria . It is the opinion of the Election Commission and t he City Attorney's office that maintaining current district lines meets the population and registered voter criteria as closely as ci rcumstances will permit. FINANCIAL IMPACT There is no financial impact foreseen as a result of this recommendation. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Memorandum dated February 14, 1995 from Community Developme nt Planning Administrator Stitt.