Redistricting Workshops Continue This Week

Got an opinion about political representation in Elk Grove? Now's your chance to weigh in.

City staff this Wednesday will hold the third of a series of public workshops on redrawing Elk Grove's council districts for next fall's election.

Consultants for the city are using the latest Census data plus input from residents to create new districts that are roughly equal in population, keep communities together and reflect Elk Grove's dramatic growth over the last decade.

Workshop participants can draw their own maps and submit them for consideration; the final districts must be approved by the current city council.

Last month, we talked about what's at stake in the redistricting process: Elk Grovians will choose their first elected mayor next year, and the number of council districts will shrink, meaning at least one sitting councilmember will lose his or her seat.

In a separate story today, the Sacramento Bee noted that Elk Grove's population growth accounted for more than a third of the increase in Sacramento County since 2000. Elk Grove now also has the highest proportion of Asians of any city in the county, according to the Bee.

Wednesday's workshop will run from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and will be followed by the final meeting in the series on May 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Both will take place in Council Chambers at 8400 Laguna Palms Way.