Chapter 8Special Districts

Section § 22000

Explanation

This law outlines how special districts in California should manage board of directors' election boundaries. When a district decides to use district-based elections or after every federal census, the board must redefine election boundaries by majority vote. Any new territory annexed must also be assigned to a division in the district by resolution.

Changes to boundaries cannot happen within 180 days of a director's election. Boundary adjustments won't cut short a director's term, even if they no longer live in their division. However, future directors must reside in their division. Districts can wait until after the 2000 census to adjust boundaries but can do so sooner if significant population changes occur or when territory is added or removed.

(a)CA Elections Code § 22000(a) Following a special district’s decision to elect its board of directors using district-based elections, or following each federal decennial census for a special district whose board of directors is already elected using district-based elections, the board of directors shall, by resolution, adopt boundaries for all of the divisions of the special district pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 21100).
(b)CA Elections Code § 22000(b) The resolution specified in subdivision (a) shall be adopted by a vote of not less than a majority of the directors.
(c)CA Elections Code § 22000(c) At the time of, or after, any annexation of territory to the district, the board of directors shall designate, by resolution, the division of which the annexed territory shall be a part.
(d)CA Elections Code § 22000(d) Except as provided in Section 21140, no change in division boundaries may be made within 180 days preceding the election of any director.
(e)Copy CA Elections Code § 22000(e)
(1)Copy CA Elections Code § 22000(e)(1) A change in division boundaries shall not affect the term of office of any director.
(2)CA Elections Code § 22000(e)(2) If division boundaries are adjusted, the director of the division whose boundaries have been adjusted shall continue to be the director of the division bearing the number of that division as formerly comprised until the office becomes vacant by means of term expiration or otherwise, whether or not the director is a resident within the boundaries of the division as adjusted. The director shall continue to represent the constituents residing in the district boundaries from which the director was elected for the duration of that term of office. This section does not prevent a board from assigning a director or special district official to provide constituent services to residents of an area that is temporarily not represented by a director due to redistricting.
(f)CA Elections Code § 22000(f) The successor to the office in a division whose boundaries have been adjusted shall be a resident and voter of that division.
(g)CA Elections Code § 22000(g) A district is not required to adjust the boundaries of any divisions pursuant to this section until after the 2000 federal decennial census.
(h)CA Elections Code § 22000(h) This section shall not be construed to prohibit or restrict a district from adjusting the boundaries of any divisions pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 21100) whenever the board of directors of the district determines by a two-thirds vote of the board that a sufficient change in population has occurred that makes it desirable in the opinion of the board to adjust the boundaries of any divisions, or whenever any territory is added by or excluded from the district.
special districts district-based elections board of directors boundary adjustment federal decennial census annexation of territory division assignments election boundary restrictions director term impacts residency requirements population change constituent representation two-thirds board vote territory exclusion or inclusion redistricting process
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 343, Sec. 50. (AB 764) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Section § 22001

Explanation

This law section states that it doesn't apply to special districts where only landowners can vote for directors, or where directors are elected by everyone in the district or appointed.

This chapter and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 21100) do not apply to special districts in which only landowners vote for directors or whose directors are all elected at large or appointed.
special districts landowners voting directors election at-large directors appointed directors voting rights special district governance landowner voting district local elections directorial appointment non-applicable chapters landowner suffrage district director elections election exemptions governance structure
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 343, Sec. 52. (AB 764) Effective January 1, 2024.)