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Currently, Sonoma uses an at-large election system, meaning all registered voters in the City vote for all City Council Members, regardless of district. However, many cities, including some in Sonoma County, have faced legal pressure to transition to district-based elections, with allegations that at-large elections dilute the power of specific communities. Though Sonoma has not...

No. The City is required to review and adjust the district lines following each census. We will next review the district maps in 2031 and make changes based on the data received in the census.

If only one candidate runs, that individual will be considered elected to the City Council. If no candidates run for a seat in a district, the situation will be handled in the same way as a vacancy. This will be addressed according to the California Elections Code.

No. A candidate must live within the district they wish to represent.

State law does not specify the criteria for choosing which districts go first. If there is a district or community that is typically underrepresented, it could be prioritized. Otherwise, the decision will be made by the City Council.

No. Three council members will be elected in 2026, and the remaining two will be elected in the next cycle two years later.

A community of interest is a “contiguous population that shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.” They are the overlapping sets of neighborhoods, networks, and groups that share interests, views, cultures, histories, languages, and values and whose boundaries can be...

Many factors may be considered, but population equality is the most important. The California FAIR MAPS Act requires municipalities to use a ranked list of criteria to help ensure a transparent and fair process: Relatively equal population: a total deviation of less than 10% Contiguous: districts should be whole and not jumping over each other...

Districting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a City Council member. The City Council is seeking input on the district voting map for the City of Sonoma. Residents will have opportunities to share with the City Council how they think district boundaries should be drawn to best...

Districting is the establishment of boundaries for election districts. It determines who can run and who can vote in each district. Candidates and voters must live within their respective election districts. This does not impact city services to the public. The only change the districting process creates is how City Council Members are elected. Districting only happens once. After...

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Para ver esta página web en español, haga clic en «Translate» o en el icono del globo terráqueo de arriba y seleccione «Spanish». Help shape the future of City of Sonoma’s City Council Districts The Sonoma City Council has begun the process of transitioning to district elections. The U.S. Census data will be used to...

Provide your comments on your community of interest by completing the online Community of Interest Form, or download the worksheet and return it by email cityhall@sonomacity.org or drop off a hard copy to Sonoma City Hall No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma CA 95476, or attend a public hearing and read your comments to the Council....

Please consider the following questions and criteria when considering your community of interest (for consideration only, no need to provide answers): Does your community have a shared culture, characteristics, or bond? Is your community geographic in nature? Is your community able to be mapped? Is there density within your community? Describe your community’s relationship with...

A Community of Interest is a group of people in the same geographically definable area who share common social and economic interests. Some examples of Communities of Interest are: Senior citizens Families with children attending the same schools People who live downtown or in a neighborhood Dog park community Residents who share a common language...

Save the Date for the General Plan Update Land Use Workshop! 📅 Date: January 30, 2025 ⏰ New Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (formerly scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM) 📍 Location: Vintage House, 264 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476 What's Your Vision for the Future of Sonoma? Join us for the General...

The City of Sonoma is proud to join Sonoma County and 23 other jurisdictions in updating the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a critical tool for reducing disaster risk and enhancing community resilience. This collaborative effort will identify strategies to protect lives, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards, such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. We need...

The City of Sonoma’s Presentation and Second Public Hearing regarding the transition to district-based elections, originally scheduled for 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, has been rescheduled to 6:00 PM on the same day. This hearing will now be the first item on the agenda for the regular City Council meeting. Key Topics for...

The Final Draft Active Transportation Plan is now available for public review! This comprehensive plan incorporates feedback received during the October 24, 2024, Planning Commission meeting, as well as online comments submitted through November 30, 2024. Over the past 18 months, the City of Sonoma has collaborated with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) to...

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