Community of Interest Information

We Need to Hear From You

Your input is needed to redraw voting districts for Council Members, and one way you can participate is by assisting the City in developing a list of “communities of interest” or “COI” that can be utilized in the process to redraw district lines.

Redistricting Process in 2021-2022

Local governments use new census data every ten years to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. This process, called redistricting, is essential in ensuring that each Council Member represents about the same number of constituents. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is anticipated to be released around September 30, 2021. For the City of Morgan Hill, the redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022. 

What Do the Existing Council Districts Look Like?

You can find a map of the City’s current Council Member districts here.

What is a Community of Interest (COI)?

A Community of Interest is a group of people who share common social or economic interests, live in a geographically definable area, and should be included within a single district for effective and fair representation in future elections.

There are some communities of interest that are considered “protected classes” in that they have rights through state or federal civil rights or voting rights laws. Some examples of protected classes in districting would be ethnic and racial minorities such as a concentration of Latinx, Asian, Black, or African American people. 

There are other potential COI that can also be considered in redistricting, such as senior citizens, college students, people who live in a particular neighborhood, or even people who share concerns such as parents with young children, bicycle enthusiasts, topic interest groups, etc.

COI does not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.

What Can You Do to Participate in the Process?

1. Provide your comments on your community of interest by completing the COI Worksheet (Spanish form) online.

2. Complete the COI worksheet  (Spanish form) and return by email to redistricting2021@morganhill.ca.gov, or return a hard copy to City Clerk’s Office, 17575 Peak Ave. If you need additional space for your responses to the questions, please feel free to attach a sheet of paper.

3. Attend one of the City’s Public Hearings and Community workshops.

Identifying Communities of Interest for Morgan Hill

  • Citizen voting age
  • Renters or homeowners
  • Those living in single-family homes or apartments
  • Income
  • Education
  • Language spoken at home
  • Household size
  • Households with children
  • Subdivisions
  • proximity to parks, trails, or schools
  • Homeowners associations
  • Historical communities/areas
  • Tourism areas
  • Cultural amenities
  • Economic Interests
  • Immigrant Communities
  • Religious facilities
  • Outdoor recreation areas
  • Natural dividing lines such as roads, creeks, etc.
  • Common issues, neighborhood activities, or legislative concerns