Cloverdale is scrapping its citywide, at-large council elections and shifting to single-member districts after a June council action that came with legal pressure attached. The shift, spurred by a voting-rights demand letter, will require the city to carve the town into new voting districts, hold multiple public hearings, and stagger future council contests so that some seats are first decided in 2028. Residents and local leaders say the move could reshape who speaks for Cloverdale on housing, roads, and public safety.
The change appeared in the Cloverdale City Council’s June 10 meeting packet as a proposed resolution declaring the city’s intent to transition from an at-large system to district-based elections, with a draft resolution and public-notice materials attached, according to the City of Cloverdale. The item was listed under New Business and placed on the council calendar for consideration.
Councilmembers voted to begin the transition after receiving a demand letter from Malibu attorney Kevin Shenkman alleging that Cloverdale’s at-large system dilutes Latino voting strength, according to The Press Democrat. Resident and planning commissioner Daniel Frankston told the paper it was ludicrous that Cloverdale can’t decide for itself, while Vice Mayor Todd Lands said the change felt forced and expensive for a small town. City Attorney Alex Mog warned the council that if it did not act within the 90-day window described in the letter, the city risked a potentially costly lawsuit…