Introduction
On February 27, 2018, the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District Board of Directors (“Board”) adopted a resolution establishing a district-based election system, defining district boundaries, and scheduling elections within the districts of the Lake Arrowhead Community Service District (“LACSD”).
LACSD 2018 Elections Divisions Map
Process
Pursuant to the California Elections Code, the process of conversion from LACSD’s at-large election system to a district-based election system consisted of: two public hearings where the public’s input regarding the composition of districts was sought; the drawing of draft maps which were made available to the public for review; two additional public hearings where the public’s input regarding the content of the draft maps was sought; and finally, adoption of a resolution selecting a map with district boundaries and establishing the process by which staggered district-based elections will be implemented in furtherance of the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act. The Board approved a district-based election system to be phased in over two election cycles starting in November of 2018 with full implementation in 2020. Each district would elect one Board Member to a four-year term.
Background
The California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”) was adopted in 2002 and applies to at-large election voting systems or those that combine at-large with district-based elections. The CVRA prohibits elections that prevent members of a protected class from electing their chosen candidates to a public agency’s governing board or otherwise impairs the ability of voters from a protected class to influence elections. The District did not believe that its at-large election system violated the CVRA. However, many municipalities and special districts have made voluntary changes to their elections system to avoid risks associated with CVRA litigation challenging at-large election systems.
On December 12, 2017, the Board adopted a resolution of intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections.
Public Hearings
Pursuant to California Elections Code § 10010 the Board of Directors held the following public hearings:
On January 9, 2018, the Board held its first public hearing and received public input regarding the establishment of possible district boundaries for district-based elections.
On January 23, 2018, the Board held a second public hearing and to receive public input regarding the composition of proposed district boundaries for the District’s election system.
On February 13, 2018, the Board held a third public hearing and to receive public input regarding the content of the draft map(s) and the proposed sequence of elections.
On February 27, 2018, the Board held a fourth public hearing and to receive public input regarding the content of the draft map(s) and the proposed sequence of elections.
On February 27, 2018, the Board held a public hearing for the adoption of Resolution No. 2018-01 establishing a district-based election system, defining district boundaries, and scheduling elections within the districts in furtherance of the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act.
