Help Create City of San Mateo’s First
District Elections Map

• Read more in today's news release
• Visit the new District Elections web page
• District Elections FAQs
• Participate and share input on communities of interest

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News Release July 22, 2021: Outreach Begins on Transition to City Council District Elections

After receiving a demand letter alleging the City of San Mateo’s current at-large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act, the City is beginning a major community engagement initiative to transition to district elections with the goal of completing the process by Nov. 15, 2021.

While the short timeframe is prompted in part by threat of a lawsuit, the City Council this week approved extending the outreach schedule to allow for use of the latest 2020 Census data and additional public participation opportunities through a variety of in-person and online methods.

Creation of the City’s first district election map will transform how voters elect future City Council members. The City would be split into districts, with voters in each district electing one City Council member who lives in that district. The first by-district Council election would take place in November 2022. Currently, voters across the entire City elect all five City Council members through an at-large elections system.

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Get Involved & Participate

The first phase of public engagement will be to collect input to help define local “Communities of Interest.” Use our new online Communities of Interest form to share your feedback! View our new virtual and in-person outreach schedule to join an upcoming workshop or hearing.

During the second phase of engagement, residents can draw maps for how they think districts should be divided in San Mateo, before the Council considers approval of a final map. The City has also hired professional demographer Redistricting Partners to assist in the process.

“Shifting to district elections is transformational for the San Mateo community and empowering residents with more opportunities to determine their election system is critical,” said San Mateo Mayor Eric Rodriguez. “This extended timeline allows us to hear from more residents and use the latest 2020 Census data expected to be released in September.”

Learn more and sign up to get involved on the City’s new District Elections web page: www.cityofsanmateo.org/districtelections.