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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 4Art. 2§ 34884 City Council District Formation

§ 34884 City Council District Formation

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 34884 City Council District Formation

Key Takeaways

  • •If a new city is created and people vote to elect council members by district (not city-wide), the city must split into equal-population districts before the first election.
  • •The first two council members with the fewest votes will serve shorter terms (until the next regular election), while the top three serve longer terms (until the second regular election).
  • •After the first election, council members will be elected by district in a staggered way (even-numbered districts first, then odd-numbered).
  • •Even if the city starts with district elections, people can vote later to change back to city-wide elections if they want.

Example

A small town votes to become a city and also votes to elect council members by district instead of city-wide.

The town must split into equal districts before the first election. The first two council members elected will serve shorter terms, and the top three will serve longer terms. Later, the town can vote again to switch back to city-wide elections if they prefer.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 34884 City Council District Formation

(a) If, at the time a vote is held on the subject of incorporation of a new city, a majority of the votes cast is for incorporation and, if, in accordance with Section 57116, a majority of the votes cast on the question of whether members of the city council in future elections are to be elected by district or at large is in favor of election by district, all of the following procedures apply: (1) Before the first day on which voters may nominate candidates for election at the next regular municipal election, the legislative body shall, by ordinance or resolution, establish the boundaries of the districts of the legislative body. The districts shall be substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution. The districts shall comply with the requirements and criteria of Section 21130 of the Elections Code. (2) The terms of office of the two members elected with the lowest vote shall expire on the Tuesday succeeding the next regular municipal election. At that election, members shall be elected by district in the even-numbered districts and shall hold office for four years. (3) The terms of office of the three members elected with the highest vote shall expire on the Tuesday succeeding the second regular municipal election following the incorporation. At that election, members shall be elected by district in the odd-numbered districts and shall hold office for four years. (b) The result of the vote cast on the question of whether members of the city council in future elections are to be elected by district or at large shall not preclude the submission to the voters at any future election of a measure in accordance with Section 34871. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 343, Sec. 58. (AB 764) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

electionresolutionordinancecorporationmajorityaccordancequestionunited states constitution

Related Statutes

  • § 34876.5 District Election Ballot Rules
  • § 23681 County Seat Removal Petition
  • § 34880 District Election Transition Rules
  • § 56812 City Appropriations Limit Calculation
  • § 6546.4 Local Agency Ordinance Election

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 34884.
View Official Source