Applications accepted for City Districting Commission The City of Merced is accepting applications for the Independent Districting Advisory Commission. The Commission will recommend a districting plan that divides the City into six Council election districts which comply with state and federal election laws. These districts will be used for future elections of Merced City Council Members. The Districting Committee will consist of at least seven members. Those eligible to apply must: Be a current resident of the City of Merced Be eligible to be a registered voter of the City of Merced Not be a sitting elected official Have no conflict of interest under applicable law Have adequate time available to be able to participate in the work of the Committee Not be a paid political operative for individual candidates or registered political parties Have knowledge of Merced’s neighborhoods, geography, diversity and communities of interest. Be available for two to three meetings per month from March to December City employees are not eligible to serve on the Committee Individuals wanting to serve on the Districting Committee may submit an application to the City Clerk during the application period ending Jan. 30. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office, 678 W. 18th Street, Merced, on the Citys website, cityofmerced.org, or by calling 385-6834. People wanting help with the application can attend the City Council Town Hall meeting Thurs. Jan. 29, at Tenaya Middle School, 760, W. 8th St. prior to the 7 p.m. meeting. Staff from the City Clerk’s Office will be available with applications and to answer questions. The Merced County League of Women Voters will consider applications and recommend the top qualified applicants for appointment by the Merced City Council. The members of the Committee will be appointed as soon as possible, with the goal of having the members determined by March, and have the City Council approval of the Final Districting Plan by Dec. 31, 2015. The League of Women Voters will consider applications based on: Geo-diversity and ability to serve impartially in a non-partisan role. In addition, and to the extent possible and permitted by law, the League will consider available information which would assist them in creating an applicant pool of men and women who are reflective of the City’s racial and ethnic diversity. From the pool of up to 14 candidates, the seven top qualified will be recommended to Council for appointment. The next seven qualified will be identified to Council in the event that the first seven nominees are not approved as a block. In November voters Approved Measure T amending City Charter to change the at-large election system to a single member district system. Voters in each district will elect a Council member to represent them. The Commission will help create the districts. The Mayor’s seat will continue to be election in a city-wide at-large election.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 18:18:05 +0000
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