Downey City Council narrows down potential maps in transition to five-district election system

DOWNEY — The city council held its fifth public hearing on Tuesday to discuss the transition to a five-district election system, as mandated by the California Voting Rights Act.

The council reviewed a total of 22 maps, including variations of a central district map and others that aimed to minimize changes to existing district boundaries. They narrowed their focus to eight options for further consideration.

The council had expressed a preference for Map 104 during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25. However, 18 maps have been added since then - giving the council more to consider.

Doug Johnson, president of the National Demographics Corporation (NDC), presented the draft maps, explaining that the criteria used to draw the maps were federal and state laws regarding equal population, avoiding division of neighborhoods, easily identifiable boundaries and compactness.

He also emphasized that the maps are drawn without consideration of incumbent council member residences.

Council members shared their preferences among the various maps. Several council members expressed interest in Map 105, which creates a fifth district in the center of the city.

Potential redistricting maps can be submitted by residents of Downey, as long as they adhere to the federal and state law requirements. City resident, Bill Lam, submitted nine additional maps for consideration, which are labeled “Lam.”

Councilmember Claudia M. Frometa said Map 105 met the council’s initial request when designing the fifth district and had minimal disruption to existing boundaries.

“We understand people protect their neighborhoods, and they want to continue to be part of those neighborhoods,” said Frometa. “The very initial ask was to create a fifth district that would be in the center of the city, and this particular (map), encompasses a good segment (of the city).”

Councilmember Dorothy Pemberton acknowledged the council’s previous support for Map 104 but said multiple proposed redistricting maps looked favorable, including Map 105, Map 113, Lam 1 and Lam 9.

“Knowing the neighborhoods of that council member’s district can better understand the different communities, and the micro communities within this area,” said Pemberton.

Councilmember Horacio Ortiz expressed concern about the number of maps under consideration and requested that the council narrow its focus to a smaller set of options.

Johnson suggested that the council identify “focus maps” to guide future discussions and residents who will draw maps to recommend to the council.

Ultimately, the council picked Map 101, Map 102, Map 105, Map 106, Map 110, Map 113, Lam 1 and Lam 9.

The council will continue to review and discuss the focus maps at future public hearings before making a final decision.

The Downey City Council chose eight focus maps to guide their ongoing discussions as they draw a fifth voting district to the city. The eight maps were picked during their meeting on Tuesday, April 8.