Lemoore public can get first look at draft new city council district election maps

Lemoore citizens, since 1900, have elected their councilmembers on an at-large basis, meaning all voters cast ballots for a council member living within their district. A district-based election system will divide the city into five areas, each governed by one councilmember who resides in the area. The electors within that district would vote for their councilmember.

Draft Interactive District Maps

Lemoore must change the way it votes for its leadership or face a lawsuit that for many California cities can get expensive. At stake would be the city’s violation of the 2002 California Voting Right’s Act. Legal experts contend that communities like Lemoore – using at-large voting – dilute the ability of Latinos to elect candidates of their choice.

The city must meet a 90-day timeline to complete the process or face potential lawsuits.

Council Members have already held two sparsely attended public hearings in January allowing citizens to express their opinions about district elections, which would create five distinct areas in which councilmembers would run for election.

Additional meetings are scheduled for Tuesday (Feb. 6), Feb. 9 and Feb. 20.

The draft maps are located at www.drawlemoore.com. They’re posted in a PDF format for viewing or printing, along with a PDF demographic profile of the plan. The maps also have an interactive review that allows residents to zoom in or out on map details or to search for a specific address.

The NDC is urging the public to view the maps and share their thoughts by email to lemoore@NDCresearch.com, by letter, at a council meeting, or directly to Lemoore City Hall