After months of discussion between members of the board, the district board voted on Nov. 14 to approve a possible new district map for 90 days of public comment period, in which the public is free to look over and share their thoughts with the board.

The posting of the map is part of the district’s continuing consideration of whether they should switch from the current “at-large” to “by-district” election system for choosing members of the district board.
It should be noted, as pointed out by Student Trustee for the district Bailey Girard, the map is not a final approved map. At the end of the 90 day public comment period, the board will consider the public comments and the options of each member of the board before finally making a decision.

The differences between the two systems is with an “at-large” election, all candidates who wish to run for a position on the district board are chosen by all voters in the county while in a “by-district” all candidates can only campaign in the district which they are interested in representing and only voters within their particular district.

“The map that was posted for public comment is a map that was drawn by the demographer we hired to be in compliances with the California Voting Right Act and the Federate Voting Right Act. It had been discussed by the entire board and incorporates comments from the two public hearing that we held…and that now is posted online for 90 days of public comment to see what the general public thinks of it.” said Board President Dave Mandelkern.

The map posted to the district website places Daly City, Brisbane, and Colman by themselves forming a district of their own in the northern parts of the county. San Bruno, Millbrae, Pacifica, and South San Francisco form the next district to the south, which Skyline College falls under.
Burlingame, San Mateo, and Hillsborough is next located just south and to the east of the district made up of Half Moon Bay, Belmont, and Foster City.

The last two districts on the map can be found at the southern tip of the county. San Carlos, Redwood City, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto compose their own district and finally the fifth and final district contains Atherton, Woodside, and Portola Valley at the south-western corner of the county.
“It (the map) also took into account, but not specifically about ethnicity, school districts, cities, and local communities” wrote Student Trustee Bailey Girard via email.