Dear Council Members -
For tonight's discussion please focus first, and in depth, on the options and strategies possible for districting and election
options under a shell charter agreement, especially with regard to the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections and the 2020 census. Here are
some additional questions or topics to address.
Leaving aside the California Voting Rights Act, what kinds of districting and voting options are possible with a shell charter?
Does the shell charter differ at all from a more limited charter involving only districting and elections?
With a shell charter what might be done by the City Council directly versus a city-wide vote? Is the latter usually advisable in
any case? What are examples from other cities?
What difference if any is made by a charter to the risk of a California Voting Rights Act violation?
Also relevant is the near-term choice facing the city of a 5- or 6-district/election plan. A shell charter implies the city would
take up a districting plan revision following 2018. It's arguable that the 6-district option would bias that future choice by
creating a status quo to have more council members and an at-large mayor. The 5-district plan would be the more neutral choice
given an expectation of charter-enabled choices as soon as 2020.Thanks very much,John Kadvany / College Ave.
