FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2021
Contact: Jennifer Flachman, Public Information Officer
(209) 385-6232
flachmanj@cityofmerced.org
MERCED, CA – The Redistricting Advisory Committee for the City of Merced will hold its first public hearing on September 15, 2021. The meeting will begin at 6 pm on the second floor of City Hall, located at 678 W. 18th Street in Merced. The committee will receive a report on the redistricting process and permissible criteria to redraw the Council District Map during the hearing. Additionally, community members will have an opportunity to provide input regarding the redrawing of electoral boundaries.
In August, City Council appointed nine Merced City residents to the Redistricting Advisory Committee. The nine-member committee will advise and assist the City with redrawing Council districts. It will recommend a potential map, or maps for City Council to consider and adopt.
Every ten years, public agencies must redistrict to determine how boundaries of voting districts might be redrawn based on recent Census data. This process will include substantial outreach to Merced City residents to ensure Council districts meet strict requirements for population equality and voting rights protections, as well as respect for neighborhoods and geographical elements.
Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is expected to be released in late September 2021. For the City of Merced, the redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022. Redistricting Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.
For more information on the City of Merced’s redistricting process or to sign up for updates and information, visit cityofmerced.org/departments/city-clerk/redistricting or call the City Clerk’s Office at (209) 388-8650.
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