We've completed our assessment of the districts by integrating the Fire District's current external and internal boundaries into the 2020 Census geography so we could then merge in the new redistricting data for the state and analyze the total population overall and by district.  We then also analyzed the Fire District's voting rights compliance under Section 2 of the Federal Voting Rights Act.

 We found that the districts/zones are within +/- 5% of the ideal population: they range from the highest populated zone at 2.87% above the ideal population to -2.78% below the ideal population for the lowest populated zone.  Since the Fire District is within -/- 5% deviation for each district/zone, and at an overall deviation of less than 10% (5.65%)  between the highest and lowest populated district/zone, the Fire District is in compliance with the Equal Population Criterion.  

 We also conducted a preliminary voting rights analysis of the district and found that the Fire District is in compliance with this criterion also.

 Karin Mac Donald

Q2

A district-based election system divides the Novato Fire District into geographic districts. Directors are required to live in the district that they represent and will be elected only by registered voters of that district.

The Novato Fire District engaged in a process to change the way that Board Directors are elected by transitioning to a district-based election system. Previously all five Directors were elected at-large, meaning that all registered voters who reside in Novato Fire District had the opportunity to vote for all five Director positions. The Fire District contracted with Redistricting Partners to produce district mapping options.

Interactive Google Map

In 2002, the Legislature enacted the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) (Elec. Code §§14025 – 14032), which prohibits California public agencies, including municipal governments, from imposing or applying an at-large election method "that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election" (Elec. Code §14027). A protected class is defined by the CVRA as "a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965".

In a lawsuit brought pursuant to the CVRA, a plaintiff who establishes a history of a "racially polarized voting" under an agency's at-large election system can require the agency to change to a district-based election system and pay for his or her attorneys' fees. Pursuant to California Elections Code section 10010, an agency can avoid even the filing of a lawsuit if it adopts a resolution of intention to move to district-based elections and, within 90 days thereafter, it adopts a district map for use in future elections. In order to avoid the high cost and burden of needless litigation, and on the advice of legal counsel, on May 1, 2019, the Novato Fire District Board of Directors adopted a resolution outlining its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections , which includes specific steps the District will undertake to facilitate the transition, and an estimated timeframe for doing so. The Elections Code provides that, in order to avoid the filing of a lawsuit and to cap possible attorneys' fees, the District has 90 days to adopt an ordinance providing for district-based elections.

Why do we need to have district elections in 2020?

There is less risk of litigation if the Novato Fire District moves forward with district elections this year.

What are the costs to taxpayers to have district elections in 2020?

Per the County of Marin, there are approximately 35,000 registered voters, and the County charges $4 to $10 per vote. Only 2-3 districts will be up in a given election year, and the estimated total cost would be $56,000 to $210,000. There are also initial costs for demographic and legal services relating to the districting process. 

If a Director is elected in only their district, will they be able to vote on Novato Fire District matters not affecting their district?

Although a Director is elected by voters in their district, they still participate and vote on District-wide matters 

Will Novato revise its districts after the 2020 census?

 That depends on the outcome of the census. State law requires that in the year following every census, agencies evaluate whether redistricting is necessary, based on the new population counts, to ensure compliance with equal population requirements and the federal Voting Rights Act. 

Will all of our current Director seats be up in 2020?

 No. Currently, the only seats that are up in 2020 are Directors James Galli, Steven Metcho and Lj Silverman. Adopting district-based voting does not shorten any Director’s term.

How will district boundaries impact current board seats?

 We don't know yet, until the Board adopts the ordinance certifying the districts. Directors will serve out their current terms, but district lines will affect who is able to run for future positions on the Board.

Who determines the district boundaries?

 The Board of Directors with public input.

¿Por qué tenemos que celebrar elecciones por distritos en el año 2020?

Hay menos riesgo de litigios si el Departamento de Bomberos de Novato procede este año con elecciones por distritos.  

¿Cuáles son los costos para los contribuyentes de que se realicen elecciones por distritos en 2020?

De acuerdo al condado de Marin, hay aproximadamente 35,000 votantes registrados, y el condado cobra de $4 a $10 por voto. Solo 2 o 3 distritos estarán sujetos a elecciones en un determinado año electoral, por lo que se estima un costo total de $56,000 a $210,000. Al inicio del proceso para establecer los distritos, también hay costos relacionados con servicios demográficos y legales. 

Si un director es elegido solo en su distrito, ¿ese director podrá votar sobre asuntos del Departamento de Bomberos de Novato que no afecten a su distrito?

 Aunque un director sea elegido por los votantes en su distrito, él o ella participa y vota sobre asuntos que afectan a todo el Departamento.

¿Revisará Novato la composición de sus distritos luego del censo de 2020? 

Eso depende del resultado del censo. La ley estatal requiere que el año siguiente a cada censo, las ciudades evalúen si la redistribución de distritos es necesaria, como resultado de los nuevos conteos de población, para garantizar el cumplimiento con los requisitos de que los distritos tengan la misma población y con la Ley Federal de Derecho al Voto 

¿Estarán sujetos a elecciones en 2020 todos los escaños de los directores actuales?

 No. Actualmente, los únicos escaños que están sujetos a votación en 2020 son los de los directores James Galli, Steven Metcho y Lj Silverman. La adopción de la votación por distritos no acorta el término de ningún director.

¿Cómo impactarán los límites de los distritos en los escaños de la junta actual? 

 Todavía no sabemos, ya que la Junta no ha adoptado la ordenanza que certifica los distritos. Los directores cumplirán sus términos actuales, pero las líneas que definen los distritos afectarán a quién puede postularse para futuros escaños en la Junta.

¿Quién determina los límites de los distritos? 

 La Junta de Directores con las aportaciones del público.