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Burbank council places district‑elections ordinance (Map 130) on November ballot
Summary
The council voted to submit an ordinance adopting Map 130 and a sequencing plan to voters in the November 3, 2026 election, fulfilling terms of a settlement in a California Voting Rights Act case; if approved by voters the city would begin a two‑election transition to district-based council seats.
The Burbank City Council voted Tuesday to place an ordinance adopting Map 130 for city council district elections on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot and set sequencing so two districts will be elected in 2028 and three in 2030.
The action implements terms of a settlement resolving a lawsuit alleging at‑large voting diluted residents’ ability to elect candidates of their choice. Special counsel Margarite Leone explained council must select which districts appear on which ballot before the ordinance goes to voters.
Leone outlined four sequencing options staff had prepared. The council chose the option that aligns districts with expiring terms, an approach staff described as minimizing disruption while allowing incumbents and residents opportunities to run under the new district map. The resolution will return on the consent calendar with minor numbering edits before formal placement on the ballot.
The settlement requires both a charter amendment (to allow methods other than at‑large voting) and the implementing ordinance to be approved by voters for the change to take effect. Councilmembers also discussed recent state and federal court decisions affecting race‑based districting and a proposed state law that could change enforcement standards; staff warned the legal landscape remains unsettled but said the city’s process in 2023 produced neighborhood‑based districts rather than majority‑minority designs.
Council members stressed this step does not itself change representation: voters will decide in November whether to adopt the change. If both measures pass, council will implement districts in the 2028 and 2030 cycles and may revisit election method after the first redistricting cycle following the 2030 census.
