Measure C

San Diego USD District-Only Elections for School Board Members

2020—SAN DIEGO USD—Would change the process for electing School Board members in the San Diego Unified School District (San Diego USD) by providing that voters in individual sub-districts nominate and elect their representative in both the primary and general elections, rather than the current system in which candidates are nominated in individual sub-districts in the primary but advance to a general election in the entire School District. Measure C requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Would result in a relatively small reduction in election costs for San Diego USD.

Next San Diego County Measure: Measure D

See Endorsements for Measure C

Pro:

Proponents of Measure C argue that the measure ensures the community’s choice is elected, level the playing field for local candidates, and bring San Diego USD into compliance with state law. They argue that special interest groups oppose district elections because it threatens their influence over the selection of board members, and that according to the National League of Cities, at-large elections weaken the representation of people of color.

A YES vote on this measure means: The process for electing School Board members in San Diego USD would change so that voters in individual sub-districts nominate and elect their representative in both the primary and general elections.

Con:

Opponents of Measure C argue that the measure is deceptive and would decrease community participation rather than increase it. They argue that presently every voter in the entire school district votes for all five members of the School Board who make critical decisions affecting every San Diego school, and Measure C would make it so that voters can only vote for one School Board member instead of all five.

A NO vote on this measure means: The process for electing School Board members in San Diego USD would remain how it is currently in which candidates are nominated in individual sub-districts in the primary but advance to a general election in the entire School District.

In Depth:

The San Diego City Charter (Charter) section 66 governs the composition and elections of the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District (School Board). The Charter directs that the five members of the School Board are nominated in elections held in their individual sub-districts, with the top two vote-getters in the primary election in a given sub-district advancing to a general election by voters in the entire School District. This is known as a district-only primary and an at-large general election.

If approved, Measure C would amend the Charter to change the process in the general election. The amendments would provide that all School Board elections would be held in the individual sub-districts that a candidate seeks to represent, whether it is the primary or the general election. After the Charter is amended, candidates nominated in a primary election in their individual sub-district would advance to a run-off general election that is also held in the individual sub-district they seek to represent. If approved, the Charter amendments will provide a district-only process for electing School Board members that is the same as the process used to elect City Councilmembers.

The Charter amendments proposed in this measure also include minor changes for consistency with other Charter provisions, such as amendments to the titles of specific City elections. To comply with the California Constitution and the California Education Code, this ballot measure related to the School District has been submitted only to those voters who are registered to vote within School District boundaries.

Source: City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure C

Official Resources

San Diego County Elections Office

Campaign Finance Information

Voter's Edge Campaign Contributions

Pro:

Con:

In Depth:

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