Pacific Grove Council reviews dozens of draft maps in third public hearing on district boundaries

Pacific Grove City Council held its third public hearing on proposed election district boundaries on Feb. 5, reviewing draft maps submitted by residents and hearing feedback from a demographic consultant and multiple public speakers. The hearing covered technical mapping constraints, neighborhood and community-of-interest concerns, and next steps in the redistricting schedule.

The consultant told the council the city must draw six single-member districts using 2020 U.S. Census population data, with a target of 2,520 residents per district and an allowable population variance generally kept well under the 10% threshold the courts permit. He said maps must be contiguous, avoid racial gerrymandering under the Voting Rights Act, minimize division of neighborhoods and communities of interest where possible, and not be designed to favor or discriminate against incumbents or political parties under state law. The consultant also explained some unusual census blocks in Pacific Grove — notably a large block around Arnett Park that creates a “donut”…