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HomeElections CodeDiv. 21Ch. 7Art. 1§ 21606 Council Member Term Protection

§ 21606 Council Member Term Protection

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21606 Council Member Term Protection

Key Takeaways

  • •If a city changes its district boundaries, current council members keep their jobs until their term ends, even if their district changes.
  • •After new district lines are set, the first election will fill seats for the new districts, matching the old district numbers where possible.
  • •You can't run for city council unless you meet the rules in other laws (like living in the city and being registered to vote).
  • •The city can assign someone to help people in areas without a council member because of redistricting.

Example

A city redraws its district lines, and your neighborhood moves to a new district.

Your current council member stays in office until their term ends, even if your neighborhood is now in a different district. The next election will pick new council members for the new districts.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21606 Council Member Term Protection

(a) The term of office of any council member who has been elected and whose term of office has not expired shall not be affected by any change in the boundaries of the district from which the council member was elected and that member shall continue to represent the constituents residing in the district boundaries from which the member was elected for the duration of that term of office. This section does not prevent a city council from assigning a city elected official or city official to provide constituent services to residents of an area that is temporarily not represented by a council member due to redistricting. (b) At the first election for council members in each city following adoption of the boundaries of council districts, excluding a special election to fill a vacancy or a recall election, a council member shall be elected for each district under the new district plan that has the same district number as a district whose incumbent’s term is due to expire. This subdivision does not apply when a city transitions from at-large to district-based elections. (c) Except as provided in subdivision (a), a person is not eligible to hold office as a member of a city council unless that person meets the requirements of Section 201 of the Elections Code and Section 34882 of the Government Code. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 343, Sec. 34. (AB 764) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

term of officedistrict boundariesredistrictingat-large to district-based electionsElections CodeGovernment Code

Related Statutes

  • § 21626 Council Member Term Protection
  • § 21603 City District Boundary Adjustments
  • § 21605 Council District Boundary Changes
  • § 21506 Supervisor Term After Redistricting
  • § 16600 Election Contest Court Powers

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 21606.
View Official Source