Huntington Park council adopts "magenta" district map to move to by-district elections

The Huntington Park City Council voted to adopt a new district map and a resolution moving the city from at-large elections to by-district elections, approving the so-called "magenta" plan by a 4-1 roll-call vote.

Councilmember Sanabria moved to approve the magenta map, which she said "keeps the industrial side together" and preserves neighborhood blocks and apartment concentrations. Councilmember Flores seconded the motion; Councilmember Macias cast the lone dissent. The council then adopted a formal resolution implementing the map and an election schedule.

Demographer Doug Johnson of National Demographics summarized the legal and practical criteria guiding the maps: equal population, compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act, avoidance of racial gerrymandering, contiguity, keeping communities of interest intact, following identifiable boundaries such as major roads, and compactness. He presented several resident-submitted plans and noted some compactness concerns where a district "wraps around" another; the magenta plan was described as following major roads while preserving neighborhoods and industrial areas.

Council discussion focused on how maps reflect everyday patterns of movement and community identity. Councilmember Martis said the magenta plan "properly reflects how I perceive communities" and praised its attention to places such as Walnut Street and Salt Lake Park. Councilmember Sanabria argued districts will allow distinct local constituencies—such as neighborhoods affected by contamination near Vernon—to better organize and advocate for resources.

Under the approved magenta plan, staff and the demographer explained that Districts 4 and 5 (the northwestern seats) will be up for election in 2026, while Districts 1, 2 and 3 will be on the 2028 cycle. Staff also said three additional resident-drawn maps had been submitted too late for formal consideration at this meeting; authors may speak about them but the council cannot debate or adopt them without an additional meeting.

Councilmembers asked about the effect on a pending special election schedule related to an ordinance amendment moving municipal elections to November. City elections staff said the city will submit paperwork to the county registrar, which will determine how the special-election timing is handled administratively.

The council's formal action carries the next procedural steps of filing with the county registrar and completing any administrative adjustments required to place the new district boundaries and election cycles into effect. The council adopted the resolution by roll call (Macias: no; Martis: yes; Sanabria: yes; Flores: yes; Martinez: yes).

What happens next: staff will submit the map and resolution to the county registrar for implementation and to clarify the timing of any special election tied to the city's ordinance amendment shifting elections to November.