CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Clovis City Council voted to divide into districts Monday after a Malibu-based attorney sent them a demand letter in August.  Attorney Kevin Shenkman claimed they were violating the California Voting Rights Act by remaining at large, meaning there are no districts and each council member represents the entire city.  “I knew it was just a matter of time before we were challenged. I don't think there's any other city of our size in the state of California that is still at large,” City Manager John Holt said. Shenkman has never lost a voting rights case, so city council members begrudgingly voted to move to a district system to avoid an expensive legal battle.  ”I feel like I have to hold my nose when I make this motion, but one of us has to do it,” City Councilman Drew Bessinger said. Until now, each council member held an at-large position. Shenkman’s letter claims the at-large model alienates minority voters and diminishes their voting power in city council elections.  Violation-of-CVRA-Shenkman-and-Hughes-240826-1Download He says a district system will amplify minority voices into determining their own representatives. However, the City says they have never found evidence of racial bias or inequity in their elections.  “Because this is an insult to me, a minority, I’m going to vote ‘no,’” City Councilman Vong Mouanoutoua said.  Each council member vehemently opposed the change but said the city could not afford to lose millions of dollars in court to Shenkman.  “We are being divided against our will and are really being held hostage to the budgetary challenges we are currently facing,” City Councilwoman Diane Pearce said.  They surrendered in a 4-1 vote Monday, despite backlash in the public comments. “I love the fact that as a resident of this city, every single one of you, no matter what part of the city I live in, no matter who I am, all of you are accountable to every single resident,” Clovis resident Eric Rowland said.  The City will decide on a district map by the spring of 2025, and the districts will be enforced in late 2026. They welcome the public to submit map suggestions as well.  “I feel like I just witnessed a funeral or something. I’m not sure. Aye-yai-yai,” Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck said.