Editorial:
Proposition B. City Election Changes — City of Chula
Shall the City of Chula Vista Charter be amended so that City Councilmembers are elected by geographic district where they reside, with district boundaries drawn by a citizens’ commission, with elections in which only district residents can vote, starting in 2016 and phased-in completely by 2018; and so that City Councilmembers, the Mayor and the City Attorney are all elected at mandatory November “runoff” elections starting 2014?
The intent of district only elections, along with the creation of four (4) distinct districts and subsequent realignment of the districts every ten years, is to ensure the rights of minority representation. On this count does the City of Chula Vista meet this intent?
By looking at the city council make up you would have to say yes, it does. Hispanics make up the majority of the city’s population and they make up the majority of council. But we also note that there has been a historical lack of Black and Filipino representation on this board. So in the context of minority representation, is there a need for district elections and the drawing of districts that ensure a Black and a Filipino representation? The answer is yes.
Unfortunately the arguments for district elections in Chula Vista are not being defined along this line of thinking.
Instead, the argument for District Elections is based primarily on the fact that it would save money for candidates.
Campaigning is cost prohibitive and district elections would make them more affordable. Furthermore, direct representation of neighborhoods is equally a noble goal.
While direct representation and cost savings of campaigning are not the greatest of arguments for district elections, they do hold water and a case can be made based on these reasons.
Running for a city wide office is expensive. Because of filing fees, ballot statements, campaign materials, signs, advertising, mailing costs, and all the other associated expenses, candidates have to raise a minimum of $50 thousand dollars just to be credible and $100 thousand is closer to the norm. Adding to that burden, to run a winning campaign, candidates have to start the process of running and raising money at least a year in advance. It is not a part time job. In fact most candidates have to take a hiatus from their jobs to run for office.
The cost and time involved to mount a winning campaign prohibits most folks with an interest in politics from even considering throwing their hat into the race.
District only campaigns would trim the cost of running for office in half and would make campaigning much more manageable. It is widely considered that the key to winning any public office is how successful you are at walking the communities. District elections again would make it possible for the candidate to walk most if not all of their district.
It can also be said that district elections will make the candidate more responsive to their community and at the same time they may go a long way in bridging the divide between East CV and West CV.
It is our opinion that District Elections would allow for greater participation, creating an atmosphere where more individuals would actually view running for office as an opportunity to represent their neighbors and community.
We endorse Prop B, District Elections for the City of Chula Vista.