Editorial: For representative government
It would be ideal if city government evolved with changing demographics
Solo un terremoto electoral puede impedir que en noviembre haya que elegir entre Trump y Clinton. Crédito: Archivo | La Opinión
One battle that minority voters are still fighting is against the electoral system in cities that are not divided into districts, where elections are held on an at-large basis, as if it was a single district. This system, according to its proponents, prevents the balkanization of the city and allows better oversight by elected officials.
At the same time, it excludes minorities by making it difficult for their representatives to get elected.
The cities of Modesto, Compton, Anaheim, Escondido, Whittier and Palmdale are some that have faced lawsuits over the years by Latinos and African-Americans to divide the cities into geographic districts so each area has a representative. A few days ago, the city of Fullerton was sued by the American Civil Liberties Unionon behalf of the Asian community, which has been unable to elect a representative due to the electoral system.
These lawsuits tend to be costly defeats for cities that cling to a system that no longer responds to the demographic reality. The solution seems to be in bill AB278, by Assembly member Roger Hernández.
The measure isbased on the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, which is the cornerstone of the lawsuits against the cities. The bill shortens the process by requiring cities of 100,000 or larger to adopt an ordinancefor district-based elections. The struggle to convince council clinging to power would no longer be necessary. It is not fair for residents of one neighborhood, in one corner of the city, to decide for all.
The proposal establishes the process for arriving at a more representative democracy. It is understandable that municipal authorities do not like a compulsory mandate by Sacramento on their governance. But at this point, it is also unacceptable that, for example, in Whittier, with a 66% Latino population, only one Hispanic has been elected to the city council since 1898 because of its electoral system. And on top that, it refuses to change.
It would be ideal if city government evolved with changing demographics. As long as there is resistance, AB278 will be necessary.
