Seven-Ward Redistricting
Board of Directors Makes Final Redistricting Decision
On December 13, 2023, the AC Transit Board of Directors adopted Ordinance 20, implementing the transition to a new seven-ward election system. The Jade Plan was selected along with its election sequence: Wards 1, 2 and 6 are up for election in 2024, and Wards 3, 4, 5, and 7 up for election in 2026.
While the seven-ward redistricting process is complete, this site remains live to serve as an archive of the election changes including the schedule, draft maps and resources.
What is Ward Redistricting?
The redistricting process aims to change AC Transit's existing election system. Currently, there are five wards and two at-large seats on the District's Board of Directors. However, this process will shift to a new system with seven wards for elections, and the at-large seats on the Board will be removed. This means that each ward will represent a smaller population within a single ward.
This transition is expected to be phased in over the 2024 and 2026 election cycles. Unlike the 2021 redistricting process, which occurred every ten years to readjust the population distribution among the five wards after the U.S. Census, the present process involves a distinct change. This change includes the addition of two new wards as part of the shift towards a seven-ward election system.
**A final decision on the transition to a seven-ward election system (Redistricting) is expected during the regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for December 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.**
To find out which of the five wards you live in go here. This map does not reflect the newly adopted seven-ward election system.
What is the Process?
Individuals and/or community groups are encouraged to participate in the redistricting process. A series of community workshops and public hearings will be held to educate the public about the process, how to use the tools available to draw and submit maps, solicit feedback about Communities of Interest and other factors that will be used to develop draft maps of the new wards as well as comments on the draft maps of the new wards.
Throughout the process, community members are invited to share input on Communities of Interest, draw a partial or complete map of proposed ward boundaries, and/or share feedback via public comment.
Community workshops and public hearings will commence in late September which will provide numerous opportunities for the public to provide feedback. Scroll down to see the schedule for the public hearings and workshops below.
What is a "Community of Interest"?
A “Community of Interest” is an adjoining population which shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single ward for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Some examples of relevant social and economic characteristics include, but are not limited to:
- Income Levels
- Educational Backgrounds
- Housing and Transportation Patterns
- Cultural and Language Characteristics
- Employment and Economic Patterns
- Health and Environmental Conditions
A “Community of Interest” is a designation that is more subjective than the demographic information collected through the census. As a result, the District is calling upon residents to help describe the Communities of Interest with which they identify.
Draw a Community of Interest Map.
Redistricting Map Alternatives
- AC Transit FINAL Proposed Plans and Demographics (Plan Evergreen and Plan Jade) - Posted 10/27/23
- AC Transit REVISED Draft Plans (Plan Pine, Plan Apple, Plan Emerald, Plan Lemon) Posted 10/16/23
- AC Transit REVISED Plan Demographics
- AC Transit Draft Plans (Plan Green, Plan Blue, Plan Purple, Plan Red, Plan Orange, Plan Yellow) Posted 9/25/23
- AC Transit Plan Demographics
- Public Plan Submissions
- Public Plan Demographics
- Interactive Map (includes the draft, revised, final proposed, and public plans)
How Can I Be Involved?
You can attend one or more of the public workshops that will explain the redistricting process and the tools we have to help you draw partial or complete maps of how you think the ward boundaries should look.
Share your thoughts with AC Transit in any of the following ways:
- Provide input on your Communities of Interest
- Draw a partial or complete map of proposed ward boundaries
- Submit comments at a hearing, workshop, via e-mail or phone
The schedule for the public hearings and the public workshops is below. The final date for submission of draft maps is September 20 at 5 p.m. for consideration at the Public Hearing #3.
The tools that you can use to submit your draft maps are:
DistrictR
- Simple online tool that allows you to “paint” your neighborhood, community of interest, or a ward map (No account or login is required to access)
- Follow the DistrictR User Guide for instructions on how to draw and save your map
- Once you have drawn your map, click the “Share” button for your map to be saved to the public gallery
Map submission closed. Feature no longer available.
Draw a Map with Excel
- Instructions on how to draw population balanced ward map
- Map of AC Transit District service area for you to draw your ward boundaries
- Space on plan creator worksheet tab to describe your map
Map submission closed. Feature no longer available.
Draw a Map on Paper
- Instructions on how to draw a population balanced ward map
- Map of AC Transit District service area for you to draw your ward boundaries
- Space to describe your map
Map submission closed. Feature no longer available.
Where can I submit comments?
- Email at myvoice@actransit.org
- By voicemail: (510) 891‐7192, Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Spanish or Press 3 for Chinese by 5 pm the Monday prior to the hearing.
- Attend a Public Workshop or Hearing
- In writing to AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California 94612
Public Workshops
Your feedback matters! Attend a workshop to learn more about the redistricting process, the criteria that will be used to develop the new wards, and provide feedback on where the lines should be drawn to reflect your community. Spanish and Chinese interpreters will be provided at all workshops. To request interpretation services for other languages, please call the District Secretary’s Office at (510) 891-7201 at least five business days prior to any workshop.
HOW TO ATTEND:
All virtual workshops are accessible via the following methods:
Virtual: You will be able to attend via Zoom
By Telephone: (669) 444-9171
| Date | Time | Location | Presentation |
| Thursday, September 7, 2023 (Virtual) | 6:30 pm | WATCH | VIEW |
| Monday, September 11, 2023 (Virtual) | 6:30 pm | WATCH | VIEW |
| Thursday, September 14, 2023 (In-person only) | 6:30 pm | WATCH | VIEW |
| Saturday, September 30, 2023 (In-person) | 2 pm | WATCH | VIEW |
| Thursday, October 12, 2023 (Virtual) | 6:30 pm | WATCH | VIEW |
| Tuesday, October 17, 2023 (Virtual) | 6:30 pm | WATCH | VIEW |
Public Hearings
Public hearings are an opportunity for the community to provide input to the Board in a public Board meeting.
At Public Hearings #1 and #2, the community is invited to provide input on communities of interest and the composition of wards. These hearings will occur before any draft maps are developed. Draft maps and the sequencing of elections under a seven-ward election system will be presented for review and comment at Public Hearings #3 and #4. Upon completion of the hearings, the Board will consider the adoption of an ordinance to complete the transition to a seven-ward election system, which will be introduced at Public Hearing #5.
**A final decision on the transition to a seven-ward election system (Redistricting) is expected during the regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for December 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.**
To request interpretation services, please call the District Secretary’s Office at (510) 891-7201 at least five business days prior to any meeting.
HOW TO ATTEND:
All public hearings are accessible via the following methods:
Virtual: You will be able to attend via Zoom at https://actransit.zoom.us/j/98487175063
In Person: 600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room
By Telephone: English Phone Number: (669) 900 6833; Webinar ID: 984 8717 5063
Spanish Phone Number: (707) 304-7195, Conference ID: 647 528 554#
Chinese Phone Number: (707) 304-7195, Conference ID: 983 252 334#
| Date | Time | Public Hearing Notice | Staff Report | Watch |
| Wednesday, September 6, 2023 | 6 pm | READ | More | Video |
| Wednesday, September 13, 2023 | 6 pm | READ | More | Video |
| Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | 6 pm | READ | More | Video |
| Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 6 pm | READ | More | Video |
| Wednesday, November 8, 2023 | 6 pm | READ | More | Video |
Board Decision
**A final decision on the transition to a seven-ward election system (Redistricting) is expected during the regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for December 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.**
To request interpretation services, please call the District Secretary’s Office at (510) 891-7201 at least five business days prior to any meeting.
HOW TO ATTEND:
Virtual: You will be able to attend via Zoom at https://actransit.zoom.us/j/98487175063
In Person: 600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room
By Telephone: Phone Number: (669) 900 6833; Webinar ID: 984 8717 5063
Contact Us
Please direct questions about the process to districtsecretary@actransit.org or call (510) 891-7201.
Information found on this website can be provided in an alternative format upon request. Please contact the District Secretary's Office at (510) 891-7201 to speak to a representative or to submit your request in writing click here. AC Transit will do its best to provide the requested alternative format within a reasonable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ward-based elections and AC Transit’s current system of electing members of the Board of Directors?
AC Transit has always had a directly elected Board of Directors with five directors representing specific geographic areas known as “wards” and two directors representing the entire District at-large. The proposed ward-based election system will create seven wards, with one representative on the Board of Directors chosen by the electors residing in each ward, and there will no longer be any directors elected at-large by the entire District.
Why is this happening?
AC Transit received a letter on March 27, 2023, from attorney Ginger L. Grimes asserting that the District’s at-large electoral system violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (“CVRA”). The letter claimed that polarized voting may be occurring in the District and threatened litigation absent the District’s voluntary conversion to ward-based elections for Boardmembers.
At its July 26 public meeting, the AC Transit Board of Directors adopted a resolution of intent to transition entirely to ward-based elections through a transparent and inclusive community engagement process. The District will have a limited amount of time (90 days, unless extended) to formally adopt the change to ward-based elections. The ward-based election system would then be phased in over the 2024 and 2026 General Elections.
Why does this transition matter to me?
The public has a voice in how the new ward boundaries are drawn. You have an opportunity to share with the Board of Directors how you think ward boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.
What do the existing wards boundaries look like and which ward do I live in?
You can view an interactive map of the AC Transits wards and type in your address to find out which ward you reside in.
Who creates the ward maps?
The District will use a professional demographer to create ward maps. The demographer will ensure that the proposed maps comply with state and federal requirements as well as consider the feedback received from the community about their communities of interest during workshops and the public hearing process.
How can I get involved?
AC Transit riders, community groups and the general public are encouraged to participate in the process by attending Public Workshops, Public Hearings and public Board meetings; actively engage by providing public comment (in writing or live), and by submitting draft maps.
How do I sign up to get updates on the transition process?
To receive email updates, subscribe to eNews.