Sonoma council adopts district map B3, introduces ordinance to shift to by‑district elections

The Sonoma City Council on a unanimous vote introduced an ordinance adopting map B3 and the numbering shown on the map to change the city's council elections from at‑large to by‑district under the California Voting Rights Act.

The action follows the fifth public hearing in a series required by state law and a public review process that included five hearings and outreach. City Manager David Guin and a consultant from a redistricting firm presented the single final map, which the city described as contiguous, compact and preserving identified communities of interest such as mobile home communities, West Side renters and the Historic Plaza area. The map has a total population deviation of 5.7 percent; the city noted that is below the 10 percent maximum commonly used for such plans.

City Manager David Guin said the proposed ordinance and the technical files will be submitted to the county…