Former mayors: Yes on Measure E
In the June 7 primary election, Santa Cruzans will have a once-in-a-century chance to determine how local government will represent them for decades to come. As five people who have had the opportunity to serve as Mayor of this community, we urge you to vote yes on Measure E to ensure that our city is ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Since World War II, the way we elect City Council members and the mayor has not changed. Seven people were elected city-wide to a four year term. One of the seven council members was then selected by their fellow council members to a one year- term as Mayor. By tradition, the mayor was usually the top vote-getter in the previous election.
Two years ago, the city of Santa Cruz, like hundreds of cities, school and special districts around the state, was sued under the California Voting Rights Act. The basis of the claim was that our at-large elections led to lack of Latino representation on the City Council. State law makes it almost impossible for any city or district to win, so the city settled the lawsuit, agreeing to either go to six districts and an at-large mayor or seven districts by November 2022.
The city of Santa Cruz is bound to this agreement, unless the law changes or the California Supreme Court finds the Voting Rights Act invalid. Neither of these scenarios seem likely.
This change to districts has the potential for some very good and very bad consequences in how our city is governed. One the one hand, all neighborhoods will have better representation, as each council member will move from representing and responding to the whole city to a smaller, more manageable district. It could also lead to a more diverse Council, more accurately reflecting the demographics of the community.
On the other hand, districts tend to make elected officials more parochial. Council members' concerns could focus on micro issues in a particular corner of their district rather than the city as a whole. Some citywide concerns, like housing, homelessness, water, budgets and traffic, could take a backseat to more narrow issues.
We believe that Measure E increases the positives and reduces potential negatives. A yes vote means that the city will have six districts and an at-large mayor elected directly by the people. A no vote means seven districts with a mayor who is chosen by and rotates among the council members.
In our experience a directlyelected, at-large mayor is important for the following reasons:
• A directly elected mayor will have to campaign and talk to the entire city. Rotating seven district council members into the position of mayor means that, by definition, the mayor will have only been chosen by only a few thousand Santa Cruzans in one corner of the city.
• An at-large mayor will give voice to city-wide concerns while allowing council members to focus on their districts.
• With an at-large mayor, Santa Cruzans will in effect, have two representatives on the Council – their district councilmember and the mayor.
• The mayor will have four years instead of one to work with the council and community to develop a vision and policies. No problem can be solved in one year, and a longer-term focus is essential.
Although under Measure E the mayor will have no additional powers or authority than our mayors do now, this longer term will give them the opportunity to build relationships over a four-year period. The mayor can be a clear and consistent voice to county, state and federal governments, UCSC as well as non-profit and private organizations.
Rotating mayors with district council members allows some city council members to avoid accountability for problems. They will be reelected as long as they serve and respond to their district, whether it be Seabright or UCSC, while the mayor will be accountable to the whole city and to the voters directly every four years.
None of us are going to run for mayor. We believe strong candidates will emerge and the voters for the first time, if Measure E is approved, can directly make their preference known this November. Please vote yes on Measure E.