PUBLIC MAP 402 as selected by the Westminster City Council.

The lengthy and often contentious process of selecting district maps for the November 2022 Westminster City Council election moved another step forward on Wednesday night.

The council resumed a continued fourth public hearing on which maps to use. One would be for the current four-district arrangement and another for five districts, if voters in June approve a ballot measure to eliminate the direct election of mayor, thereby creating a fifth district.

Under the latter scenario, the largely ceremonial position of mayor would be rotated among members of the council.

The council unanimously adopted Public Map 402 – which had been selected at the previous council meeting for the four-district arrangement – but was split on Public Map 507 for the potential five-district alternative.

Objecting to the idea of eliminating direct election of the mayor and thereby opposing the idea of a five-district map, Mayor Tri Ta and Councilmember Chi Charlie Nguyen abstained, the motion then passing on a 3-0-2 vote.

Second reading and final approval of the two ordinances will be on the agenda for the March 23 meeting of the council.

PUBLIC MAP 507 as selected by the city council.