Over the last several years, cities, school districts, and community college districts throughout the State have been changing from at-large to by-district elections to comply with the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) and/or to avoid litigation. The CVRA expands the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 by eliminating key requirements including geographical compactness of a minority group and the group’s ability to form a majority in a district. By eliminating these important elements in the federal law, State law made it easier for plaintiffs to sue and prevail. Not a single jurisdiction has prevailed in litigation under the CVRA; several jurisdictions have paid millions in out-of-court settlements and all challenged jurisdictions have transitioned from at-large elections. 

On August 26, 2024, the City of Clovis received a demand letter from the Southwest Voter
Registration Education Project alleging that the City of Clovis is in violation of the CVRA and must convert to by-district elections. Based on this threat of litigation, the City Council, by virtue of passing Resolution No. 24-110, commenced the transition from at-large to by-district elections to mitigate costs associated with potential legal challenges under the CVRA.

Related Documents

• Demand Letter from the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project 
• Section 21130(b)(1) Disclosure Report

Adopted Resolution

• Council Resolution No. 24-110, October 7, 2024

After over 100 years of at-large elections, the Clovis City Council commenced the transition from at-large to by-district elections in October of 2024. In mid-November, the City began holding Public Hearings; in mid-December, the City began accepting community draft map submissions; in early January, the City held a Community Map-Drawing Workshop; and on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the City held the fifth and final Public Hearing to select the City’s first election district map. During this hearing, the Clovis City Council reviewed the map submissions, heard from experts and the public, and after discussion, voted 4-1 to select map submission 502 with a reordering of the originally drafted district numbers – which does not affect the boundaries of the chosen districts. At the same meeting, the City Council introduced an ordinance to establish by-district elections in the City, based on the selected map, starting with the November 2026 election. The ordinance was officially adopted at the March 10, 2025, City Council meeting.

Adopted Ordinance

• Ordinance 25-02

Historically, Clovis City Councilmembers have been elected under an at-large election system whereby all Councilmembers are elected by voters of the entire city. Under the new district-based election system, each Councilmember must reside within their designated election district boundary and will be elected only by the voters in that district. Current Councilmembers will complete their full terms serving the community at-large, and in future elections, Council candidates will be required to run to represent the district in which they live. In 2026, districts 1, 4, and 5 will be up for election, and in 2028, districts 2 and 3 will be up for election. The map may also be adjusted after the Census cycle.

The final map follows a five-district structure with one Councilmember representing each district and meets all federal and state requirements, including but not limited to the designation of districts of equal population that are geographically contiguous and compact with easily identifiable boundaries. 

Final Map, Data, & Election Sequencing

• Clovis 2025 Districting Map

Not sure which district you live in? Use the interactive map here.