Following a comprehensive community engagement process, Reno City Council selected Final Map Option E as the new ward map which will transition the City from five to six wards next year. The sixth ward will replace the at-large councilmember position following the 2024 general election. 

This map will take effect in January 2024 for candidate filing and election voting. For all other purposes, the map will be effective when the results of the 2024 election are declared in November 2024. 

“Thank you to the community for engaging with us during this process,” said Doug Thornley, Reno City Manager. “We could not have done this alone. Whether it was at the meetings, drop-in sessions, or on the digital portals, Reno residents stepped up and told us how they want to be represented.”

Highlights from this map include: 

• It meets the population balance requirements with each ward having approximately 43,000-45,000 residents.

• Downtown Reno is represented in one single ward.

• Many communities of interest are maintained in one ward including the Yori/Grove and Brinkby/Lymbery area, the Northeast neighborhood, the university and surrounding neighborhoods, the North Valleys, Wells Avenue district, Midtown, the Lakeridge/Rancharrah/Del Monte area, and the Double Diamond/Bella Vista/Damonte areas. 

Resources for Residents:

The City has launched a map comparison tool that allows residents to see how the new boundaries will impact them. Residents can look up their address to see which ward they live in now and which ward they will vote in during the 2024 and future elections. Residents in wards 1, 3, 5, and 6 will vote for their representative on the City Council during the 2024 election cycle.

Residents who need help with the tool can call 775-334-4636 or email Redistricting@Reno.Gov.

Redistricting Background:

The transition from five to six wards is the result of state legislation signed into law during the 2017 Session of the Nevada Legislature. The Reno City Charter Committee, a citizen committee appointed by members of the Reno City Council and Nevada Legislature, recommended the change. With this change, the at-large council seat will be eliminated. 

On May 10, 2023, Council adopted the City of Reno redistricting principles and directed staff to move forward with the process, which includes a comprehensive community engagement strategy and working with an independent data analytics firm, FLOAnalytics, to prepare the ward boundary map options. 

In early June 2023, the City began redistricting with a community meeting where residents could learn the background behind redistricting, the process, and tools they could use to provide feedback. Following that meeting, the City launched a portal, powered by Districtr, which gave residents the tools to draw boundaries they believe will promote fair representation.

In July 2023, City officials released six initial draft map options for public viewing and feedback. Residents provided feedback through community meetings, various in-person drop-in sessions, and an online survey.  On July 27, 2023, the four final map options were released by City staff and FLOAnalytics, the independent data analytics firm that serves as the consultant on the project. 

On August 23, 2023, Council initially approved the Map E ward boundaries. An ordinance change requires Council to approve it twice, which happened on September 13, 2023. 

As the City transitions from five to six wards, residents can still visit the official website at Reno.gov/Redistricting to access information and additional resources.