Top 25 California Elections 2016
25) Palmdale
What are we watching?
Palmdale City Council (all seats open)
November brings the first election to take place after the city settled a lawsuit over minority representation and the California Voting Rights Act. Last July, after a three-year fight, the city agreed to adopt a district-based system with elections taking place for all city council seats every two years so as to maximize voter turnout. In addition, the city shelled out $4.5 million (plus interest) to recoup legal fees for the three plaintiffs of the suit. It will be interesting to see if the newly adopted system validates CVRA advocates’ efforts through a more diverse city council make-up or maintains the status quo.
Who to watch?
Candidates
- Mayor: (Incumbent) Mayor Jim Ledford, Diana Ross Fiola, V. Jesse Smith, Richard Jesse Loa, Xavier Flores
- District One: (Incumbent) Roxanna Martinez, Austin Michael Bishop.
- District Two: (Incumbent) Frederick Thompson, (Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem) Steven Hofbauer, Garlenia Davis.
- District Three: Laura Bettancourt, Robert Alvarado.
- District Four: Sandy Corrales, Vajezatha Payne.
The Numbers:
Total voters: 73,426 (48% Dem, 27% Rep, 23% Indep. And Other)
Racial Makeup: 40% Latino, 4.5% African American, 3% Asian
Why to Watch?
In 2012, three Palmdale residents filed a suit arguing that the city's at-large voting system resulted in underrepresentation for Latinos and African-Americans in the city council. At issue was whether the at-large method of voting — which disregarded geographical boundaries designed to prevent racial and ethnic discrimination — violated California law. In July 2013, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Mooney ruled that the at-large system violated the California Voting Rights Act and disproportionately disenfranchised minority voters.
After three years of resistance, the city capitulated and agreed to adopt the district-based system for the 2016 cycle and beyond. Using a map that was ordered by the court -and devised by the plaintiffs- the city will be divided into four districts, each possessing one councilmember. Unlike in past elections, city residents will vote only for the councilmember for their district. The race for Mayor will still be a citywide, at large vote.
Click Here for the Palmdale City District Map
Minority candidates are a rare presence on the City Council despite comprising almost 75% of the city’s population and a majority in two of the four newly adopted districts. Of notable exception is current councilman Fred Thompson, who is African-American and a vocal opponent of the newly imposed system, calling it “both unnecessary and disingenuous” (L.A. Times). Mr. Thompson is running for the District 2 seat-which is in the northwestern part of the city-against current Mayor Pro Tem and long-time council presence Steve Hofbauer.
Also keep an eye on the Mayor’s race which features twelve-term incumbent Jim Ledford facing off with former councilmen Richard Jesse Loa (unseated by Mr. Thompson) and V. Jesse Smith. Mr. Smith is a local pastor, founder of the Community Action League, author of An A.C.T.I.O.N for Union Reps, Stewards, & Leaders In The Labor Movement and, coincidentally, one of the lead plaintiffs in the Voter Rights suit.
Up Next in the City & County Top 25: #24, wherein Gauchos Go to the Polls.