Background 

At a meeting on October 1, 2024, the City Council discussed a letter received on August 24, 2024, from a potential plaintiffs' attorney, Shenkman & Hughes, PC, alleging a violation of the California Voting Rights Act (the "CVRA") and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily change to a district-based election system for electing council members.  A majority of the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-89 declaring the City of Galt's intent to transition from at-large to district-based elections.

The City of Galt currently employs an at-large election system, in which voters of the entire City elect five City Council members.  A district-based election is one in which the City is divided into separate districts, each with one City Council member who resides in the district and is chosen by the voters in that particular district.  Once the transition away from at-large elections is completed, the district-election system will be introduced for the 2026 election.

The transition to a district-based election system is an open, public process where public input is highly sought after and appreciated. California Elections Code Section 10010 mandates that five public hearings must be held throughout the transition process, but the City Council may choose to hold as many public community workshops as necessary to gather as much public input as possible within the time constraints for the overall project.  

Final Map Adoption

On March 27, 2025, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-04 establishing by-district elections, defining district boundaries, and scheduling elections within the districts.

Draft Final Report