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Retail Politics The Mechanics of Districts THE SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL has seven seats. Under district elections, each seat would represent one-seventh of the city's population--or in the year 2000 approximately 8,000 people. Depending on registration, the number of voters per district can vary widely. District 3, for example, has a relatively high immigrant population, for example, and relatively low voter turnout. In 2002, districts 5, 6 and 7 would be on the ballot, followed in 2004 by districts 1, 2, 3 and 4, and alternating every two years thereafter. Every 10 years following the census, the districts would be realigned to account for population shifts, maintaining as close as possible the original boundaries. Below is a rough description of the boundaries of each district: District 1: Water Street on the south; Market/Emeline on the west; city limits on the north and east. District 2: District 1 on the north; Ocean Street and Soquel on the west; Soquel, Branciforte, Broadway, Seabright and Murray on the south; city limits on the east. District 3: District 2 on the north; ocean on the south; city limits on the east; San Lorenzo river and half of Beach Flats on the west. District 4: Districts 2 and 3 on the east; Mission St. on the north and west; Bay, California, Pendegast and Almar on the south and west. District 5: Mission and District 1 on the south and east; Laurel, Laurent, Spring and High streets on the west, city limits on the north (includes UCSC). District 6: Mission Street on the south; District 5 on the north and east; city limits on the west. District 7: City limits on the west; Districts 4 and 6 on the north, ocean on the south and east. [ Santa Cruz | MetroActive Central | Archives ]