By-district council elections

In 2022, Lakewood transitioned from an at-large election system, where all five council members were elected citywide, to a by-district system in which each council member is elected by residents of one of five districts for a four-year term.

Residents in Districts 1, 2 and 5 elected council members in June 2022. Residents in Districts 3 and 4 elected council members in March 2024.

Accessibility

This page includes historical documents related to the City’s transition to by-district elections.

These materials are currently being updated to meet accessibility standards.

If you need assistance accessing any of these documents or would like to request an accessible format, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at CityClerk@lakewoodca.gov or call 562-866-9771, ext. 2200. You may also contact the ADA Coordinator at ADACoordinator@lakewoodca.gov.

Due to the number and size of these files, staff can help locate specific documents or provide key information upon request.

Adopted maps and election sequence

Adopted map and election sequence(PDF, 2MB)

Adopted map with street-level detail(PDF, 15MB)

What converting to a district election system means

While Lakewood City Council Members are now elected by residents of a particular area or district of the city, they will continue to represent the entire city. Indeed, at the Nov. 16, 2021 meeting, council members stressed that point, and emphasized that they will govern in a way that considers the needs of the entire community and continues to maintain Lakewood’s reputation for being a well-run city with a high standard of service for all residents.

In general, council members represent people and not geography. To the extent that needs and concerns of residents transcend district boundaries, concerns can be brought to the attention of any council member, including the council member representing the district where the resident resides or the council member representing the district where the concern arises.

Transitioning to district elections does not mean that Lakewood’s budget, tax revenues and expenditures will be divided up in five ways to match the number of districts in the city. There will continue to be one unified budget for the city that addresses the needs of the community irrespective of districts.

Revenue generated within any particular district will still be general revenue to be used as needed throughout the city (e.g., revenue generated from Lakewood Center mall will not be limited to use within the district where the mall is located).

Background

On Nov. 16, 2021, the Lakewood City Council held a public hearing and made a final decision on a map and election sequence for the five council districts implemented during the 2022 and 2024 municipal elections.

The transition was made under the requirements of a state law, the California Voting Rights Act, which has led to hundreds of small and mid-sized cities and school districts to move from at-large to district-based elections.

Districting process and public participation

To define the new election districts, the City Council conducted a public district formation mapping process, led by a demographer and legal team to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The information below explains the process and opportunities for public participation:

View timeline of the districting process
Contact the City Clerk for accommodations or additional information.
FAQ
By-district election documents

Timeline: Conversion to Elections by District

January 12, 2021: Adoption of Resolution of Intention; entry into Tolling Agreement.

February-March 2021: Public outreach regarding process.

April 13, 2021: First Public Hearing.

April 27, 2021: Second Public Hearing

After receipt of 2020 Census data: Preparation and posting of draft Maps and potential sequence of Council elections.

October 19, 2021: Publication of modified draft Maps and proposed election sequence.

October 26, 2021: Third Public Hearing (regarding draft maps).

November 9, 2021: Fourth Public Hearing; Map selection; Introduction of Ordinance and accompanying Resolution establishing district boundaries and election sequence.

November 16, 2021: Adoption of Ordinance and accompanying Resolution

Meeting recordings

These recordings are provided for reference and are in the process of being reviewed for accessibility.

If you need assistance accessing the content of these recordings or would like to request captions or a transcript, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at CityClerk@lakewoodca.gov or call 562-866-9771, ext. 2200. Staff can help provide the information presented in these meetings upon request.

April 13, 2021 public hearing

April 27, public hearing

City Council meeting recordings of the Oct. 26, Nov. 9 and Nov. 16 hearings.