The Council not later than April 1, 2009, shall redivide the City into wards based on the City’s population as of February 15, 2009 as determined by estimated population figures compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau or other reliable source as determined by the Council as of that date. The number of wards shall be an odd number between a maximum of 25 wards and a minimum of 11 wards using the following table that reflects a ratio of one ward for every 25,000 people based on the estimated population figures:
If the City’s population is:
| The City shall be divided into the following number of wards:
|
If the City’s population is:
| The City shall be divided into the following number of wards:
|
More than 575,000 | 25 |
575,000 or less but more than 525,000 | 23 |
525,000 or less but more than 475,000 | 21 |
475,000 or less but more than 425,000 | 19 |
425,000 or less but more than 375,000 | 17 |
375,000 or less but more than 325,000 | 15 |
325,000 or less but more than 275,000 | 13 |
275,000 or less | 11 |
The wards so formed shall be as nearly equal in population as may be fair and equitable, composed of contiguous and compact territory, and bounded by natural boundaries or street lines. When any territory is annexed to the City the Council shall by ordinances declare it a part of the adjacent ward or wards.
If the Council fails or neglects to redivide the City into wards by April 1, 2009, the Mayor shall within 7 days thereafter submit to Council the plan for redividing the City into wards using the above table to determine the number of wards, which division plan of the Mayor shall become effective until the next decennial Federal census when the wards shall be reapportioned as provided in Section 25-1.
The members of Council to be elected under the terms herein shall be elected at the regular Municipal election on November 3, 2009, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Charter of the City of Cleveland. The division of the City into wards existing at the time of the adoption of this amendment shall continue until changed as provided herein.
(Effective November 4, 2008)