(A) By-district elections. Pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 34886, members of the City Council shall be elected by-district in five single-member districts.
(1) Councilmembers shall be elected in the electoral districts established by subdivision (B) of this section and subsequently reapportioned as provided by state law. Elections shall take place "by district" as that term is defined in Cal. Gov’t Code § 34871, meaning one Councilmember shall be elected from each district, by the voters of that district alone.
(2) A Councilmember elected or appointed to represent a district must reside in that district and be a registered voter in that district, and any candidate for City Council must reside in, and be a registered voter in, the district in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are issued.
(3) Termination of residency in a district by a Councilmember shall create a vacancy for that City Council district unless a substitute residence within the district is immediately declared and established within 30 days after the termination of residency.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Councilmembers in office at the time this section takes effect shall continue in office until the expiration of the term to which he or she was elected. In the event a vacancy occurs before the expiration of the term of a Councilmember in office at the time this section takes effect, a person who is appointed or elected by special election to fill such vacancy may reside anywhere within the corporate boundaries of the city. A person appointed or elected to fill such a vacancy shall hold the office in accordance with general law and applicable provisions of the Santa Paula Municipal Code.
(B) Council districts and district elections. All five Councilmembers shall be elected on a "by-district" basis from the Council districts shown and numbered on the map titled “City of Santa Paula District Map” attached to Ord. 1327 as Exhibit A, a copy of which shall be on file in the City Clerk's office. In 2024, and every four years thereafter, the following two Council districts shall be elected by- district: District 1 and District 5. In 2026, and every four years thereafter, the following three Council districts shall be elected by-district: District 2; District 3; and District 4.
(C) Amendment of district boundaries. Pursuant to Elections Code § 21601, as it may be amended from time to time, the Council shall adjust the boundaries of any or all of the districts following each decennial federal census to ensure that the districts are in compliance with all applicable provisions of law.
(Ord. 1327, passed 3-15-23)