December 19, 2024 — The City of Clovis is embarking on a historic transition from at-large elections to district-based voting, and residents have the opportunity to actively participate in drawing the City’s first-ever district map. This milestone change offers community members the chance to influence how neighborhoods are represented in local government.
To facilitate involvement, Clovis has introduced various tools to assist residents, including printable map-drawing forms in multiple languages and an intuitive online application. Additionally, the City has launched a new “communities of interest” form, allowing residents to outline neighborhood boundaries or areas of shared interests they believe should remain unified during the district-drawing process.
The City Council is also exploring the potential of moving to a citizen-elected mayor. Historically, the mayor of Clovis has been chosen from among the Councilmembers, but with the shift to district-based elections, two scenarios are under consideration: five districts with a Council-appointed mayor or four districts with an at-large elected mayor. Residents can use the provided tools to draft maps under either framework.
Community Engagement Opportunities
To ensure community input is at the heart of this process, Clovis has scheduled a Community Map-Drawing Workshop on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Clovis Transit Center, located at 785 Third Street. This workshop is open to all residents and will provide hands-on guidance for using the map-drawing tools.
Three additional public hearings are planned during regular City Council meetings between late January and early March. These hearings will offer residents a chance to share their perspectives and submit maps for consideration.
The deadline for map submissions is February 21, 2025, and the final district map is expected to be adopted during the City Council meeting on March 4, 2025. Once finalized, the map will be used in future municipal elections and may be updated following future Census cycles.
How to Participate
Residents can find resources, submission guidelines, and the public hearing schedule on the City’s website at cityofclovis.com/districts. For those unable to attend events, an online feedback form and dedicated email address are available to gather input remotely.
This process marks a significant turning point for Clovis, providing residents with an unprecedented opportunity to shape the governance of their city. Community involvement will play a critical role in ensuring the new district map reflects the diverse needs and interests of the people of Clovis.