Do at-large elections discriminate against minority voters? It’s a question being considered a lot these days by Morongo Basin cities and public agencies under pressure to elect their leaders by district. The matter came up at last night’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting with some surprising results. Reporter David Haldane explains…
Political and legal extortion. That’s how several speakers described a proposal to switch Twentynine Palms from at-large to district elections during the first of five public hearings on the matter held last night.
The move comes in response to a letter—received by dozens of cites statewide—threatening lawsuits if the change isn’t made. At-large elections, the letter charges, discriminate against minority voters in violation of the California Voting Rights Act.
Many cities have challenged that notion and lost. But the mood seemed defiant in Twentynine Palm as former mayor Jim Bagley and others raised strong objections. “This is liberal progressive social engineering gone mad. It’s fundamentally wrong and it needs to be challenged.”
Four council members agreed, with Councilman Dan Mintz allowing only that he’s open to discussion. Plenty more of that’s likely to occur at a closed meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL HEARS DEFIANCE TO FORCED CHANGE IN ELECTIONS
