City Council finds and declares that the key to good government is an engaged and informed electorate. The citizens exercised their electoral choice and approved a home rule Charter for the City of Colorado Springs in 1909. We are mindful today that the City's power and authority is derived from, and remains accountable to, the collective will of the voters.
A significant step toward increasing public awareness and participation in municipal elections is to provide meaningful opportunities for citizens to learn about and have input into the districting process. While the City Charter requires that all election districts be contiguous and substantially equal in population, City Council recognizes and supports the consideration of additional factors as a necessary implementation of the Voting Rights Act, 42 USC 1973, as amended. City Council supports and encourages the preservation of racial and ethnic diversity, traditional neighborhoods and communities of interest.
To that end, City Council now exercises the authority granted by City Charter sections 2-10(b) and 11-10 and promulgates procedures for the creation and establishment of election districts for the City. (Ord. 13-23; Ord. 16-102)