During a special meeting on Thursday, the Santa Clarita City Council approved the transition from an at-large voting system to districts, officials said.

The City of Santa Clarita received a letter on Feb. 7 challenging its at-large voting system, according to City Hall documents.

To challenge an at-large voting system, a potential plaintiff must send a demand letter to the City, after which the City has 45 days to declare intent to switch to the election of its legislative body by districts. Unlike a federal voting rights act case, where a plaintiff must establish that switching to districts will actually remedy the vote dilution of the minority group challenging the existing election system through the creation of a majority-minority district, the California Voting Rights Act does not require such proof.

“We are caught between a rock and hard place,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bill Miranda. “I respect, and so does everyone here on the council, what the formation committee went through with the county to make the city possible.”

The Feb. 7 letter was sent by Scott Rafferty, a Northern California lawyer who has sent similar letters to several cities, and who has refused to identify his clients. By virtue of sending such a letter, Rafferty is automatically entitled to $30,000 of taxpayer money under the Elections Code.

“The City is faced with a looming March 23 deadline that could expose the City to litigation and potentially millions of dollars of exposure,” said City officials in a statement. “As described more fully below, taking action tomorrow would protect the City from litigation for at least 90 days.”

The California Voting Rights Act allows for challenges to at-large election systems, which the City of Santa Clarita has maintained since incorporation in 1987.

The vast majority of cities that received a demand letter have opted to switch to election by districts, although some have attempted to litigate. Out of the cities which attempted to defend the suit, none have been successful.

See Related: District Elections Transition To Be Discussed By Santa Clarita City Council

These cities have been ordered to pay millions in legal fees and, in some cases, have ended up with court-ordered special elections, based upon district maps generated without public input, according to the City.

In light of these circumstances, the City is recommending using the legislation adopted in the last few years, which allows conversion to districts through an open and public process. However, the process must be completed by early June to avoid litigation as threatened by the demand letter.

Because the City Council adopted the resolution, five or more public meetings must be conducted within a 90-day period, according to officials.

The statute mandates public participation before anything is finalized, according to Mayor Smyth. The adopted resolution has allowed the city 90 days for public meetings.

“We should not be here today, but we have no choice,” said Councilmember Marsha McLean. “Since I have been on the council I represent every single person… representing everyone equally.”

Each of the present council members voiced their want to keep the at-large voting system, but commented that the decision was being made to prevent the possibility of litigation against the city.

“We are not the City of L.A., we are unique and we are very definitely an isolated community, and we have been blessed to have community interaction” added Councilmember Laurene Weste. “The council always works together, rarely do we have large disagreements… and we resolve those because we are all united for the community.”

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