AC TRANSIT LAUNCHES REDISTRICTING: TRANSITIONING TO AN ALL-NEW SEVEN-WARD ELECTION SYSTEM

Get involved by attending a public meeting and share your input

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Board of Directors of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) adopted a resolution in July 2023 to transition to an election system based entirely on electing members of its Board of Directors from wards by phasing out the two at-large seats on the Board of Directors and creating a new seven-ward election system.  

Currently, AC Transit functions under the governance of a Board of Directors consisting of five members, each elected to represent specific geographical segments known as "wards." In addition, there are two more directors elected at-large to represent the entire District as a whole.

The redistricting process stems from claims raised in a March 2023 letter to our transit district, asserting that the current approach of electing two out of the seven members of the Board of Directors through at-large elections is contrary to the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

Throughout the redistricting process, there will be a strong emphasis on thoroughness, open communication, and inclusivity, ensuring the active participation of riders and the communities AC Transit has served for over six decades.

Once the redistricting process is final, each Board Director will represent a smaller population residing within a single ward. This planned transition will be a phased implementation across the 2024 and 2026 election cycles.

AC Transit will hold a series of public hearings and workshops that will encourage members of the public to participate by sharing their opinions on communities that should be kept together within each single ward boundary. Community members will have the opportunity to share a draft map of proposed ward boundaries and provide feedback on alternate draft maps produced by the community as well as AC Transit’s professional demographer. Community members are encouraged to participate in the redistricting process to ensure ward boundaries respect neighborhoods, history, and geographic elements.

During the following Board meetings, riders and community members are encouraged to offer input and feedback.

• September 6 at 6 p.m. – 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room and virtual via Zoom
• September 13 at 6 p.m. – 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room and virtual via Zoom
• October 4 at 6 p.m. – 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room and virtual via Zoom
• October 25 at 6 p.m. – 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room and virtual via Zoom
• November 8 at 6:00 p.m. – 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room and virtual via Zoom

AC Transit will also host six community-centered workshops to provide the East Bay communities we serve with additional opportunities to learn more about mapping tools, ensure their community is fairly represented, and connect with others in the redistricting process: 

• September 7 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual via Zoom
• September 11 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual via Zoom
• September 14 at 6:30 p.m. – 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA, 2nd Floor Board Room 
• September 30 at 2 p.m. – 39155 Liberty Street, Fremont, CA, Pacific Room
• October 12 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual via Zoom
• October 17 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual via Zoom 

For Zoom links, dial-in information, and additional event details, please visit actransit.org/redistricting. Spanish and Chinese interpreters will be provided at all Public Hearings and community workshops.

For TDD for hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, and specify (510) 891-4700.

AC Transit has launched actransit.org/redistricting. This dedicated seven-ward redistricting webpage includes background information, a schedule outlining public meetings and deadlines, frequently asked questions, resources for drawing maps and details on how to get directly involved in the redistricting process. As the process moves forward in the coming months, AC Transit will continue to update the website to include additional information on upcoming meetings and events.

For more information, visit actransit.org/redistricting or email myvoice@actransit.org.

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The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District is California’s largest bus only transit agency and third largest in the US, providing an average of nearly 180,000 daily passenger trips with 151 bus lines throughout the 364-square-mile service area. AC Transit provides safe, convenient, courteous and reliable service in 13 cities and adjacent unincorporated areas in Alameda and Contra Costa counties as well as carrying almost 13,500 daily riders across the bay to San Francisco.