Trustee Elections / California Voting Rights Act
In 2018, Santa Barbara Unified School District voted to transition from at-large elections to trustee-area elections in accordance with the California Voting Rights Act. The act took effect on January 1, 2003. It prohibits the use of "at-large" elections when such an election system: "imparts the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election...." (Elections Code 14027)
Below, please find the three maps that the SBUSD Board of Trustees moved forward at its meeting on January 25, 2022. Of the three, one will be selected at the board's February 8 meeting. In addition there is an overlay of the two five-trustee area maps. If you would like to attend the February 8 meeting virtually, the meeting can be found here.
You can experience all of the final map options via this Google Map, or see each map below.
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Pursuant to California Elections Code section 10010(a), before drawing maps of proposed boundaries of trustee-areas, the District must hold two public hearings at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. The first of those two public hearings was held on August, 24, 2021, and included the following [presentation]. The second public hearing was held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, as part of our regularly scheduled school board meeting. Following these public hearings, a series of community outreach webinars will be held.
The process is scheduled as follows:
TRUSTEE AREA PROCESS: DATE/ACTIVITY TIMELINE
August 24, 2021 Board Meeting |
First Pre-Map Public Hearing and Presentation |
September 14, 2021 Board Meeting |
Second Pre-Map Public Hearing |
September 15 to October 5, 2021 |
Preparation of draft trustee area maps and scenarios |
October 12, 2021: School Board Meeting: Regular session begins at 5:30 pm. Check agenda for details. |
First Public Hearing to receive public input regarding the composition of the district trustee areas |
October 14, 2021: 6 pm |
Community Meeting via Webinar |
October 21, 2021: 6 pm |
Community Meeting via Webinar |
October 26, 2021: School Board Meeting: Regular session begins at 5:30 pm. Check agenda for details. |
Second Public Hearing-MapTrustee Area Scenarios |
November 4, 2021: 6 pm |
Community Meeting via Webinar |
November 16, 2021 School Board Meeting: Regular session begins at 5:30 pm. Check agenda for details. |
Third Public Hearing- Map Trustee Area Scenarios Board Selection of Trustee Area Map Board Consideration of Change in Election Method |
November 18, 2021: 6 pm |
Community Meeting via Webinar |
January 13, 2022: 6 pm |
Community Meeting via Webinar |
January 25, 2022: School Board Meeting: Regular session begins at 5:30 pm. Check agenda for details. |
Fourth Public Hearing- Map Trustee Area Scenarios: Selection of three final maps for consideration |
February 8, 2022: School Board Meeting: Regular session begins at 5:30 pm. Check agenda for details. |
Fifth Public Hearing- Map Trustee Area Scenarios: Selection of recommended map |
February – March 2022 |
County Committee on School District Organization Holds a Public Hearing and Considers Approval of Change in Election Method and Trustee Area Map |
November 8, 2022 |
First Election Held Utilizing Trustee Areas |
CONCEPTUAL TRUSTEE AREAS
New proposed map scenarios:
Previous proposed map scenarios:
Types of Elections
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is SBUSD transitioning to trustee area elections?
- What is the CVRA?
- What’s the difference between "at large" elections and "by-trustee area" elections?
- How will transitioning to a "by-trustee area" election system affect me?
- Do Trustee-area elections impact enrollment boundary lines or where students attend school?
- How will trustee area boundaries be created?
- How can I help shape the “by-trustee areas”?
- Can you tell me more about the process?
- How often are the voting trustee areas reviewed?
- How will I get notice of the County Committee’s public hearing to consider the Board approved Trustee Area Map?
- After approval, how often does the Trustee Area Map get updated?
- If I live in one trustee area, but my child attends school in another trustee area, can I proxy vote in that other trustee area?
- Will the conversion to the by-trustee area election system change how Board operates or affect the distribution of resources throughout SBUSD?