AREA cities are approaching the issue of re-districting in different ways (Shutterstock).

Like the winter follows the fall, the national population census  – conducted every 10 years – leads to the redrawing of legislative districts. What that means at the city level depends on which city you’re living in.

Three of the four cities in the coverage area of The Orange County Tribune elect their city councils on a by-district basis.

Huntington Beach continues to buck the trend by continuing its at-large system, while Garden Grove, Stanton and Westminster must deal with the issue of whether, or how to adjust the council districts to reflect any changes in the city’s population or demographics.

On Tuesday, the Garden Grove City Council will consider a resolution stating that since the 2020 census showed few changes from the 2010 count for the city, there’s no need to draw new district boundaries.

Stanton is gearing up for a redraw. It has four council districts – the mayor is elected at-large – and will hold its first public hearing to get input from the community on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 6:45 p.m. in City Hall, 7800 Katella Ave.

In Westminster, the situation is more complicated. At present, there is a five-member council with the mayor elected city-wide and the other four council members by district. However, political battles and a new council majority have led to a proposal to ask voters in the June 2022 primary election to decide whether to abolish the direct election of mayor and go to five council districts. The mayor would then be selected from among the council members, with the largely ceremonial position rotated among those officials.

On Wednesday, the council will consider calling for voters to decide the issue.