Capitola City Council has voted to switch from at-large to district-based elections, following a legal threat from a law firm citing the California Voting Rights Act. The change aims to improve Latino representation.
Key facts: The council approved a four-district model with an elected mayor. The first draft maps will be published for public feedback by June 17.
The new system will take effect in 2028. Some residents criticized the decision as driven by fear of a lawsuit.
The move aligns Capitola with neighboring cities like Santa Cruz and Watsonville, which already use district elections.