Zone Based Elections

Summary

On October 19, 2018, the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 05-18, “Resolution of the Grossmont Healthcare District Outlining the Intention to Transition From At-Large To District-Based Elections Pursuant to Elections Code 10010(e)(J)(A).”

Following the process detailed below, on April 2, 2019, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 02-19, which established and implemented district-based or zone elections commencing with the November 2020 elections. Click here for the approved interactive map showing the five zones. Elections for the odd-numbered zones are in 2024, with elections for the even-numbered zones in 2022.

Here are the numbered zones referenced in the map, the incumbent Grossmont Healthcare District Board Members for each, and when their respective seats are next up for election:

Zone 1: Virginia Hall – November 2024

Zone 2: Randy Lenac – November 2022

Zone 3: Michael Emerson – November 2024

Zone 4: Gloria Chadwick – November 2022

Zone 5: Robert “Bob” Ayres – November 2024

2022 Redistricting

The Grossmont Healthcare District is reviewing its current District Map and Zone Boundaries to allow for the best
representation of the communities served by GHD. Community members living within GHD boundaries are encouraged to
attend and provide input.

To join the Public Hearing on Friday, February 18, 2022, view more information in English, Spanish, or Arabic.

Background

The Grossmont Healthcare District (“District”), like many healthcare districts and public agencies in California, used an at-large election system since forming in the 1950s. With at-large systems, board members are elected by the voters of the entire district.

The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (“CVRA”), effective January 1, 2003, made fundamental changes to minority voting rights in California and drove changes to at-large voting systems. Because of increasing voter rights concerns under the CVRA, many public agencies in California are now transitioning to district-based or “zone” elections in which elections are within a district or zone that is a smaller part of the whole district. With district-based election systems, board members are elected only by the voters residing within that specific election district or zone.

The process for transitioning from at-large to district-based elections is outlined in Elections Code section 10010, requiring the following (a process followed by the Grossmont Healthcare District):

The District first passes a resolution outlining the intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, including the steps it plans to take to facilitate the transition and the estimated time frame for doing so.
The public is invited to participate in the initial public hearings, to provide input regarding the composition of the new districts.
Once the initial public hearings are held, the District will then proceed to have the proposed map(s) drawn, utilizing a company that specializes in mapping and demographic data.
Once the proposed map(s) are drawn, they will be published and made available to the public and will also provide for staggered terms of office and the potential sequence of the elections. The District will then hold at least two additional hearings at which the public will be invited to provide input regarding the content of the proposed map(s) and election sequence.
Communication to non-English speaking communities is part of the transition process.
Following the two final public hearings, the Board will determine the preferable map(s) and approve a resolution that divides the District into zones.
This process will take approximately 180-days to complete. The last day for the District to complete the process is April 15, 2019. Linked here is a draft timeline with tentative hearing dates as part of the 180-day process.

Process and Adoption of a Final Map

Following public hearings, public input, and Board discussion, three draft maps were published on the District’s website beginning February 25, 2019, and a public hearing was held on March 4, 2019, at which pursuant to Elections Code Section 10010(a) the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps and proposed sequence of elections.

As a result of public input and Board discussion on March 4, 2019, staff and the consultant were directed to bring back two of the initial draft maps and also bring back additional alternative maps for discussion and consideration at a subsequent public hearing held on April 2, 2019.

Five draft maps were published on the District’s website beginning March 26, 2019, and the public was again invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps and the proposed election sequence.

Following the April 2, 2019, public hearing, after input and discussion, the Board adopted a Resolution approving a Final Map (see below).

Interactive Final Map

Access the Interactive GHD Map Adopted in April 2019

As indicated in the Summary above, here are the numbered zones referenced in the map, the incumbent Grossmont Healthcare District Board Members for each, and when their respective seats are next up for election:

Zone 1: Virginia Hall – November 2024

Zone 2: Randy Lenac – November 2022

Zone 3: Michael Emerson – November 2024

Zone 4: Gloria Chadwick – November 2022

Zone 5: Robert “Bob” Ayres – November 2024

Additional Resources and Information

Election Code 10010 – This is the text of the state law related to zone-based elections.

Overview of Zoning Process (Information from National Development Corporation (NDC), consultant for District research and mapping; presented at first public hearings (December 2018/January 2019)

Supplemental Maps

District Population by City/Place/Tribal Reservation – This is a supplemental map (in PDF format) of the Grossmont Healthcare District that shows the population size of each major city/place/tribal reservation located within the District service region.
Initial Draft Maps – The initially proposed options for establishing new boundaries within the GHD are available here for review. These draft options (in PDF format) are labeled Purple, Tan*, Maroon, Olive, Yellow, and Green.
*Tan represents the boundaries that were adopted for a final approved map of District zones.

Original Communications Regarding Intent to Transition to Zone-Based Election System, September 2018

Notice from attorneys Shenkman & Hughes concerning CVRA violations
Response from GHD legal counsel concerning compliance re: Shenkman CRVA letter
Extension Agreement between GHD and attorneys Shenkman & Hughes (for GHD to conduct public outreach regarding intent to transition to zone-based elections)