Still time for voice to be heard on maps

T his week the Porterville City Council and the public were given the chance to view the three proposals for the new by-district election boundaries. The three maps were designated as green, yellow and purple and are available for viewing on the city’s website, or the maps can be viewed in person at City Hall.

The first of two public hearings took place on Tuesday. A second if everything goes as scheduled would take place on April 3.

Two people, which seems to be a banner turnout for these types of public hearings, spoke during the meeting.

The council and the public expressed liking green the most, followed by yellow and then purple.

The purple map is the only one of the three that given the council’s current configuration would have two council members in the same district. This was something people were not in favor of at the public hearing.

The city is in the process of going from at-large elections to a by-district process to elect the City Council.

The by-district elections will go into effect in the November 2018 election. The city is changing to this format after being threatened with litigation last year. The final map will have five districts. Each member on the council will represent and live in a separate district, with voters in that respective district determining who will serve.

For example voters of District 1 will only be able to vote for a candidate in their district.

The maps are based on the latest census — 2010. The lines are drawn according to the Federal Voting Rights which states districts should be drawn so protected groups have the ability to elect representatives.

The boundary lines for the districts would have to revaluated again in 2021 after the next census.

The by-distrtict election is the same process that is used to elect members of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and local school board officials as well.

All of this shifting to by-district elections is nothing new to the area, as the Sierra View Local Health District just went through the process last year. By all accounts it was a painless process.

The reason behind doing this in the first place is so more people have more of a say in the election process.

We only hope that people take the time to view the maps and if they have questions or concerns to bring them up at the next public hearing.

Remember, in order for your voice to be heard you have to speak up.