REPORT TO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
2020 Census Data and Implications for Sunnyvale Redistricting
Report
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15320, 15378 and 15061(b)(3) as it is an organizational structure change and does not have the potential to result in either a direct or reasonable foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The state released adjusted local 2020 Census data on September 20, 2021 for local redistricting. Per California law, the state adjusts U.S. Census data to reallocate certain incarcerated people to their last known residential address. Attached are two summary reports of Sunnyvale's population counts and demographic characteristics by district.
The data reveals that there is a nearly 14% deviation between our largest district (District 2), and our smallest district (District 3). The Federal Voting Rights Act requires that there be population equality among districts. Variances of 10% or less are presumed to achieve population equality. Given Sunnyvale's deviation exceeds 10%, we must adjust our district boundary lines to achieve the population equality standard.
As previously discussed, below is the prioritized criteria the Redistricting Commission must consider when making its recommendations to Council:
1. Population equality
2. Federal Voting Rights Act compliance
3. Geographic contiguity
4. Communities of interest
5. Easily identifiable boundaries
6. Compactness
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact is anticipated.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Redistricting Commission agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board and on the City's website. In addition, the agenda and report are available at the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Provide direction to potenti...
Click here for full text