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Hart District Board Approves Moving Election To 2018

Hart district board members voted to move their election, slightly extending their terms, as the result of recent legislation.


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While William S. Hart Union High School District officials faced a lawsuit seeking to force the district to change its electoral system two years ago, the board recently took steps to improve turnout, moving to a trustee-based election.

However, recent legislation prompted another change, leading officials to line up their election with the November date.

Senate Bill 415, which passed last year but takes effect Jan. 1, 2018, prohibits a local government from holding elections “on any date other than a statewide election date,” if the voter turnout in the past local elections has resulted in a ”significant decrease in voter turnout” as compared to local elections coinciding with statewide elections, according to the Hart district agenda.

To increase voter turnout and to ensure compliance with SB 415, the board will consider changing the date of future board member elections to be consolidated with the California statewide general election, commencing with the November 2018 election.

The board approved a move to district-based elections in July 2014, which were previously held in November on even-numbered years.

In the event the Board approves the resolution, pursuant to Elections Code sections 1302(b) and 10404.5, the resolution will be forwarded to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors explaining the rationale for the resolution and requesting formal approval of the change by the Board of Supervisors at a public meeting within 60 days after submission.

The move extends the term of Joe Messina and Bob Jensen, who were both voted into office during the November 2013 Hart district Governing Board election. Their terms now end in November 2018, instead of 2017.

Board President Rob Hall, who was an appointee to replace Chris Fall, who was an appointee to replace Paul Strickland, announced his intention to resign in January earlier this month.

The board is expected to make an appointment to replace Hall due to the cost of a special election.

 

 

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Hart District Board Approves Moving Election To 2018

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.