Merced’s taking steps to redraw its City Council districts, based on new U.S. Census data

Merced is preparing to redraw its voter district lines again, following the release of the 2020 U.S. Census data in September.

Although the process is still in its initial stages, the city’s nine-member Redistricting Advisory Committee has already begun discussions, with its next meeting scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6.

The process is key to Merced voters and residents, in terms of determining where neighborhoods are represented on the City Council district map. That map is currently divided into six districts, each represented by a council member.

“We have a commission, so they’re going to do the work, look at the census data, and make recommendations that the City Council will vote on,” said Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto.

Assembly Bill 849, passed in 2019, requires cities and counties to redraw voter district maps after the release of the U.S. Census every 10 years to ensure fair representation in local elections.

Redistricting is also key because it can help reflect the changing demographics in a city’s or county’s population.

The current process in Merced, however, didn’t come about without some controversy six years ago.

Merced drew its district lines for the first time in 2015 after a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit called the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund threatened a lawsuit against the city because of Merced’s “at-large” elections.

At large elections allowed any Merced resident to run for any City Council seat.

The organization’s threat was prompted by residents of Merced who believed the at-large elections system, as opposed to a district-based system, denied fair representation to Latino voters.

Drawing of district lines drew critics

The Merced City Council voted 6-1 to establish new districts in 2015 — but the way the districts were drawn did not come without criticism.

For example, some south Merced residents had hoped one district would encompass their neighborhoods.

But the City Council vote in 2015 divided south Merced into two districts. One included the Merced Municipal Airport, while the other encompassed residents east of Highway 59 and those who live east of Highway 99 and south of Highway 140.

This time, so early in the process, it’s hard to say if it will be so contentious.

No one group or district so far seems to be making much noise, according to city officials. Councilmember Jesse Ornelas, who represents south Merced’s District 1, said in an email he hasn’t heard much talk among constituents about the issue.

Possible issues to consider

Although redistricting isn’t yet on the radar of most residents, it may be just a matter of time before a variety of concerns rise to the surface.

Issues like housing, health spending and public welfare programs could be high-priority issues to communities citywide.

“We need to know what people want,” said Professor Jessica Trounstine, a political science professor at UC Merced.

“It’s hard to tell at a local level. We have to rely on what community advocates say, and there are community advocates who are outspoken about what residents want.”

Process timeline

Anticipating the release of Census 2020 data in September of this year, the City Council appointed the members of the redistricting advisory committee this summer.

The committee’s first meeting was held last month, and it’s expected to finish up its work by the April 2022 deadline.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports the current population of Merced County is 281,202 — up from 255,793 in 2010, a 9.9 percent increase.

Those numbers might be adjusted after the state releases official population data after adjusting for prison populations.

The next City of Merced Redistricting Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Civic Center Council Chambers, located at 678 W. 18th St. in Merced.

Likewise, the county is conducting its own redistricting workshops. The next Merced County Community Workshop is on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Mondo Building, located at 501 W. Main St. in Merced.