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Home My WebLink About11/19/2024 Item 7a, Rowley Sandra Rowley < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Discussion of New City Election System Proposal This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Dear Mayor Stewart and Members of the Council, It is my understanding that the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) aims to protect minority voters from having their votes diluted. In my opinion the City’s “Single Vote” proposal will simply maintain the status quo because it retains our city-wide election system. For the intent of the California Voting Rights Act to be attained the election process needs to be inclusive, affordable, and realistically attainable. The “Single Vote” city-wide election process adds nothing to advance minority voting access or representation in our local elections. On the other hand, “District Elections” would promote the goals of being more inclusive, affordable, and realistically attainable for all who desire to participate in it. It would allow minority voters to be more able to meet with/talk with people who are campaigning from and/or elected from their district. In addition minority voters would themselves be more able to run for office, meeting with neighbors in these smaller areas. With District Elections individuals with a desire to serve on the City Council, but who do not have the city-wide contacts or resources to tackle a city-wide campaign, would be able to campaign in a smaller area where they live and where they know and understand the issues therein. With four district elections each council member would represent approximately 11,000 voters whereas each council member currently represents approximately 44,000 voters. Under the Single Vote system each council member would still be representing approximately 44,000 voters; how is that an improvement? Recommend the City change to District Elections for the reasons stated above. Thank you for your time and consideration of these comments. Sincerely, Sandra Rowley SLO Resident 1