Every ten years, districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each city councilmember represents about the same number of constituents. In Vista, the City Council is responsible for drawing council districts. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which was released mid August, 2021. For the City of Vista, the redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022.

Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing City Council members. 

The City Council will seek input in selecting the next district map for our City Council. You have an opportunity to share with the City Council how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.   Share your thoughts, draw a map, attend an upcoming workshop or public hearing to get involved, or submit written testimony about the process to publiccomments@cityofvista.com. 

The schedule of meetings are posted on the redistricting webpage and hearings and workshops will have Spanish interpretation available. 

Upcoming meetings and information will also be included in these city communications resources: 

• Online Vista News Center for English & Spanish media outlets
• Weekly e-news bulletin (subscribe here)
• City of Vista online calendar
• City of Vista social media platforms

To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria:

• geographically contiguous districts (each city council district should share a common border with the next),
• the geographic integrity of local neighborhoods or communities shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division,
• geographic integrity of the city shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division,
• easily identifiable boundaries that follow natural or artificial barriers (rivers, streets, highways, rail lines, etc.), and
• lines shall be drawn to encourage geographic compactness. In addition, boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.

The City has hired a demographic consultant from National Demographics Corporation to draft district maps based on the community’s input for consideration according to the requirements of the Federal Voting Rights Act and CA Voting Rights Act.  Residents will also have the opportunity to draw and submit maps for consideration.  Draft maps will be posted on this webpage prior to the public hearing at which they will be reviewed and considered.  In Spring 2022, the City Council will adopt the final district map.

 You can find a map of the City’s current council districts below. 

Draw a Map

A variety of map-drawing tools will be made available:

1.   Paper-only maps for those without internet access or who prefer paper.

Tools needed: 

• Public Participation Kit – Paper Map w/ Population Count (English)
• Alternatively, submit any form of hand-drawn map that identifies street names.

2.    Paper maps with a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to calculate population totals. 

Tools needed: 

• Public Participation Kit – Paper Map w/ Population ID#s (English)
• Public Participation Kit – Excel Spreadsheet (English)

Submit a Map

Submit maps to publiccomments@cityofvista.com. After you submit your map, the demographic consultants will generate the population and other demographic details for your proposed map. 

It is helpful if you submit written comments with your map describing how your map was drawn to meet the required criteria. An example of this would be describing the specific neighborhoods or communities of interest that are kept within a single district.

Interactive Review Map

This tool is used to review, analyze, and compare maps, not to create them. Zoom in and out on map boundaries, view population counts/ID#s, and view draft maps (once the draft maps are released). Similar to Google Maps in ease of use.

• Interactive Review Map