KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
On Tuesday, the Santa Clarita City Council announced that the city is to settle a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit and adopt a district-based voting system for future elections.
At the beginning of the regular meeting the council announced the decision to settle a lawsuit filed against the city. All the city council members made it clear that they disagreed with the decision but were forced into the settlement due to limited options and favorable outcomes.
“The fact that no other city has been successful in fighting the litigation I felt that it was the best decision for the city to enter into a settlement,” said Councilmember Cameron Smyth. “I don’t in any way think this is going to better the governing of the city.”
“I don’t have the right to gamble with your money. And the odds against us winning the case are miniscule,” said Councilmember Bill Miranda.
In the past, city council members have made their opinion clear that they do not approve of a district-based voting system, citing that it would divide the city and disenfranchise certain groups of voters.
The new system featuring five district boundaries is set to go into effect after the November 2022 election in which Mayor Laurene Weste, Marsha McLean and Bill Miranda are up for reelection.
“This was a tough settlement to agree to,” said Weste. “Our City has thrived under the current at-large election process, through which residents are able to vote for all of the council members who represent them in this City. This new process means voters will only get to vote for one councilmember. This one council member will represent just one area of the City. However, it seems that fighting this lawsuit would be outrageously expensive with no possible successful conclusion.”
In November 2024, which would be the first election with the district boundaries, only two seats on the city council will be up for election due to staggered four-year terms.
The city council will have until June 30, 2023 to accept a map with five electoral districts.
“This was a challenging issue, but we believe the City Council made the responsible decision to protect the City against years of litigation which could have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars,” said Ivan Volschenk, president & CEO of the SCV Chamber. “As district lines are drawn across the City, the SCV Chamber knows City Council members will continue to work together cooperatively with one vision and one voice for what is best for the entire city. As the third largest city in L.A. County, Santa Clarita is one of the best run and best managed cities as a direct result of how our Council is elected by the voters. We hope the Council will continue to work in a unified manner, focused as one community well into the future.”
Prior to the meeting a group of protestors gathered outside City Hall to protest the move of juvenile delinquents to Camp Scott in Santa Clarita, a decision made by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors last month.
The city council, along with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, has also made it clear in the past that they oppose this move from the county and plan to continue working to oppose the decision
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Now let’s have term limits, synchronized traffic lights, and throw-out One Valley, One Vision, and give voters the power steer the city.
This is ridiculous! Thanks a lot Steve!
U.S. Congress uses District voting. U.S. Senatots lrepresent their states as districts. Elected Sacramento politicians represent defined constituencies.
The at large elections created a political stranglehold of stagnation and disregard for what voters want. When was the last time the city council called for public input on policies? Like refusing to consider traffic light syncronization. That is just retarded failed social engineering “to make people work here”. It was moronic and did not work. People stuck in city traffic produce more smog.
The two Grannies need to go home and abandon politics, or adopt a Russian model of governance to enforce their valley, their vision and depopulate the Newhall Arts District, so that we can build nicer things.
Your just rude !! Try not calling names and making fun of older people !!
I have dated grandmothers. But not these two, who have dominated SC politics for 25+ years. They do not represent the interests of the citizens. They have degraded the quality of life of city and county residents, with their one-sided vision of growth and expanding CITY revenue, without regard to citizens input. They epitomize entrenched local politics.
YOU are taking my political comments out of context.
Who is going to represent the Newhall Crime District?
Canyon Country? Sunshine Canyon?