El Monte, CA – On April 5, the El Monte City Council passed the second reading of the ordinance to establish and implement district-based elections of the City Council. With a vote of 3-2, the City Council approved Map 117, creating six (6) council districts, expanding the City Council seats from five (5) members to seven (7) members. During elections, voters will now elect one member representing their district to the City Council and a Mayor at-large.
El Monte made the historic transition to district-based election with the goal of ensuring that all residents are represented equally and fairly. Through this undertaking, the City aligned with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) requirements which discourage cities from using at-large voting systems that impair the ability of legally recognized protected classes of voters from electing candidates of their choice or otherwise influencing the outcome of an election. Protected classes include members of the same race, color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, age (over 40), and disability.
In accordance with Elections Code Section 10010, the City hosted two public hearings to receive general public comment on the proposal to move to district elections, two public hearings for the public to provide feedback on the proposed district maps created, and two additional public hearings to approve an ordinance that formally adopts Map 117 and the implementation of district-based elections.
With a population of 109,905 residents, the City of El Monte conducted robust outreach to the community to inform them about the process, what this means to them, and encouraged them to provide input on how the districts should be drawn.
Councilmembers in support of the ordinance to establish district-based elections included Mayor Pro Tem Alma Puente, Councilmember Dr. Maria Morales, and Councilmember Martin Herrera. Mayor Jessica Ancona and Councilmember Victoria Martinez Muela voted in opposition to the ordinance.
The City of El Monte, located in Southern California, is committed to improving the quality of life for its citizens and strives to provide its community personalized service, uncompromising commitment, and individualized accountability. For information on the City of El Monte, please call 626-580-2200 or visit www.elmonteca.gov.