Southwestern College released a survey to better understand South San Diego County in a redistricting process to draft a map that will be made available to review in December.
The survey will be available online until Oct. 20, whose data will be used by Redistricting Partners, a Sacramento firm specializing in helping cities, counties and school districts redistrict their election areas based upon the latest U.S Census Data.
According to the college, the 2020 U.S Census was significantly impacted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Census Data informs the districting process and is not expected to be released until last september.
During its regular meeting on March 12, 2019, the Governing Board discussed and placed under consideration whether to transition from at-large to by-trustee area election of board members.
“As a Governing Board, we are committed to increasing voter representation in elected office,” said Governing Board President Leticia Cazares. “Transitioning to a ‘by-trustee area’ election system will make it easier for community members to run for a seat on our board and ensure that all the cities and communities in our district have a voice.”
A presentation by General Counsel Trevin Sims prompted the board to unanimously vote for an establishment of a resolution for the 2022 trustee election. At the April 9, 2019 meeting, the board adopted Resolution No. 2072 declaring the Governing Boards intent to Transition from At-Large to By-Trustee Area Governing Board Elections Commencing with the November 2022 Election.
According to the college, public participation in the redistricting process is essential. Updates will be provided on the college’s webpage where opportunities for public participation, and providing a method of submitting comments and questions as all aspects of the process for creating trustee areas will be conducted in public.
Southwestern College represents residents of campus communities in Chula Vista, Coronado, National City, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro.
An upcoming Community of Interest Public Hearings on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Trustee-Area Elections webpage at www.swccd.edu/elections.
For questions or additional information, email Zaneta Encarnacion at zencarnacion@swccd.edu.
