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ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 21620 - 21620.1 21620. If the members of the governing body of a chartered city are nominated or elected "by districts" or from districts," as defined in Section 34871 of the Government Code, upon the initial establishment thereof, the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be according to the latest federal decennial census or, if the city's charter so provides, according to the federal mid - decade census or the official census of the city, as provided for pursuant to Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 40200) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code, as the case may be. After the initial establishment of the districts, the districts shall continue to be as nearly equal in population as may be according to the latest federal decennial census or, if authorized by the charter of the city, according to the federal mid - decade census. The districts shall comply with the applicable provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended. In establishing the boundaries of the districts, the council may give consideration to the following factors: (1) topography, (2) geography, (3) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (4) community of interest of the districts: 21620.1. The governing body shall hold at least one public hearing on any proposal to adjust the boundaries of a district prior to apublic hearing at which the council votes to approve or defeat the CITY CHARTER Section 230: DISTRICTS. The boundaries of Council Member districts shall be the boundaries existing upon the effective date of this Charter, until changed by ordinance of the Council. Within one year after publication of the results of each federal census, and within one year after a determination that the population of the City has changed by five percent or more since the most recent division of the City into districts, the Council by ordinance shall divide the City into six districts numbered one through six. Each district shall consist of geographically compact contiguous territory and shall contain, as nearly as possible, equal numbers of residents. District boundaries shall approximate election precinct boundaries established by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda No change in district boundaries shall operate to disqualify an incumbent from office before the expiration of the term for which such person was elected or appointed.