Census Results Are In; Peoria Redistricting Process to Begin This Fall Peoria Offers Residents Several Opportunities to be Involved in Process

Information & Graphic Courtesy of the City of Peoria

The 2020 census counts are in and Peoria’s population has grown to 190,985, an increase of more than 35,000 residents since 2010. As such, the city of Peoria has started the federally mandated redistricting process to redraw district boundaries.

“Peoria’s district system helps voters ensure that the councilmember they elect to represent them is a vital part of their community,” says Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat. “I encourage all citizens to become involved in the important redistricting process. Multiple public meetings will be held, and online mapping software is available to assist you in drawing your personal map preferences. I’m excited to begin this citizen-centric project that gives voters a voice in the democratic process.”

Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau released 2020 population data, triggering a redistricting process for municipalities with council districts. As required by federal law, redistricting is the process of adjusting voting district boundaries in accordance with population shifts from 2020 census data. Peoria must submit the proposed city council district boundaries by the end of 2021. New city council district boundaries will be in effect for the August and November 2022 elections.

Although the delay in census data reporting will shorten the timeframe for the redistricting process this year, Peoria residents will have many opportunities to participate in the process. Beginning in October, there will be multiple in-person and virtual open house events to learn about the redistricting requirements and the online mapping software that will be used to help rebalance the city council districts. Using this mapping software, Peoria residents will be able to create and submit their own district maps to the city for consideration.

The following are the dates and locations of those open houses:
• Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
Copper Hills Church, located at 27035 Black Rock Blvd.
• Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
Rio Vista Recreation Center, located at 8866 W. Thunderbird Rd.
• Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
Peoria Community Center, located at 8335 W. Jefferson St.
• Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, 10 a.m. – noon
Pop-Up Peoria, located at 9828 W. Northern Ave., Ste. 1750
A virtual link will be available for this meeting at peoriaaz.gov/redistricting.
• Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
Copper Hills Church, located at 27035 Black Rock Blvd.
• Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
Rio Vista Recreation Center, located at 8866 W. Thunderbird Rd.
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
Peoria Community Center, located at 8335 W. Jefferson St.
• Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, 10 a.m. – noon
Pop-Up Peoria, located at 9828 W. Northern Ave., Ste. 1750
A virtual link will be available for this meeting at peoriaaz.gov/redistricting.

To see the current city of Peoria council district maps, visit peoriaaz.gov/councilmap. For information on redistricting, including upcoming public meetings, visit peoriaaz.gov/redistricting.