The question of how Visalia will handle its elections will remain unresolved for at least another couple of weeks.
The city council has been debating whether or not to put a ballot measure before voters that would switch the city to a voting system that elects city council members by district, instead of the at-large system they have now. It’s an issue that the Council decided it needed more time to study.
A committee recommended that the city’s election system needed reforms in time for a November 2013 election. One of the options they mentioned was going to a seven-district structure, where one member was elected from each district. However, the logistics of the switch are still being debated. For instance, some want the public to be presented with maps detailing how the districts would look if drawn.
The discussion was sparked, at least in part, by the threat of a civil rights lawsuit if the city didn’t abandon its at-large system.
From the Visalia Times-Delta:
Have something to say about a proposal that would change the way Visalia elects its City Council members? It will need to wait until next month.
The city isn’t ready to hear it yet.
The council scrapped a plan at its workshop Monday to get public input about a proposal to move to district elections for council members.
Read the full article here.