In Brea’s next general election in November, will we be voting for only one City Council member instead of all three seats that will be up for election?
Brea has been voting in an at-large elections format, in which if three seats are open, voters can vote for candidates for all three seats. District elections limit voters to voting for only the open seat in their geographically determined district.
Changing is not the choice of most of the City Council members or most Breans I’ve spoken to, but is being spurred by the possibility of the city being sued by a Malibu attorney who has gone after cities statewide for resisting changing to district elections. He argues Brea’s at-large system lessens the ability of minority communities to elect candidates of their choice or otherwise influence city elections results.
The City Council has until April 17 to change to district election in time for the November elections. It could be delayed, however, due to a lawsuit filed on behalf of Michael Kim and Richard Rios, Brea residents and former council candidates who were not elected. Rios went on to become the city treasurer.
“The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the city from taking the actions necessary to create voting districts,” said Jim Markman, Brea’s senior counsel, “meaning approving a map and adopting an ordinance.”
An injunction is what the lawsuit is asking the court for. We’ll be watching to see if one is granted, and whether Brea’s November election will be at-large and not by districts.
Several California cities have tried to fight off districting and lost, after spending millions of dollars. Santa Monica and Irvine are still in the fight against districting, and spending big bucks.
If and when we are forced into districting, here are some things I learned from Brea’s local official of elections, City Clerk Lillian Harris-Neal.
What happens if no one runs for office in your district? Harris-Neal said the council could appoint someone else who resides in the district, or call a special election.
If your district rep moves into another district, they have to resign their seat.
My third “what if” is, what if your district rep does a crummy job for the district, misses meetings, doesn’t return calls, doesn’t work well with the other council members? They could be recalled, but only by the district’s voters.
We’ll see what happens by April 17.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at [email protected].