According to the 2020 Census, Evanston saw an increase in population of 3,624 residents. The Rules Committee created the Redistricting Committee to address imbalances in ward populations. Directs to: Rules Committee.

The City’s Redistricting Committee has been tasked with developing a new ward map based on 2020 census data. The new map will replace Evanston’s current ward map which has been in effect since 2003, after the 2000 census. Federal case law indicates that redistricting is required since the total population deviation per the 2020 census is 20.4 percent, well above the limits established by case law for a map to be considered “one person, one vote” compliant.

The proposed map, which can be found at cityofevanston.org/redistrictingmap, was approved for release by the Redistricting Committee at their March 27 meeting and was presented to City Council for discussion at the April 10 Council meeting. 

The proposed new map balances ward populations within 3.4 percent (compared to 20.4 percent under the current map), maintains three wards with majority non-white populations, and maintains downtown representation by three wards.

Public engagement in the 2023 redistricting process began with town hall meetings in July 2023 (one in English, one in Spanish) and continued through February 2023 with ward-specific discussion at scheduled meetings of the Redistricting Committee. The Committee did not draft any maps for discussion or consideration until after this initial public engagement process.

To continue the public engagement process, community members are encouraged to submit a public comment online regarding the proposed map by April 25. Community members may also provide a public comment in-person at the Redistricting Committee meeting on April 25. 

The Redistricting Committee plans to finalize the map at their meeting on May 23, which will then go to City Council for final approval in June.