Morro Bay DFA'er Circulates 2 Voter Initiatives

Written by: John Barta on Feb 26, 2006 3:13 AM EST

Linked to groups: DFA Central Coast

John & Nancy Barta, local DFA folks, have qualified to circulate two local voter initiatives for better elections in Morro Bay. The process began with drafting the initiatives and then getting the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis. Once that was completed the intent to circulate the initiatives was published in the Tribune. At that point they were authorized to begin circulating the initiatives for signatures to place it on the ballot.
The City Council could have put the initiatives on the ballot without the need to collect the signatures but they refused to cooperate - which is not surprising since the initiatives would make it more difficult for the incumbents to "game the system" as they have in the past. The Bartas will now have to collect about 800 signatures to put the measures on the November ballot.

The first initiative would require council vacancies to be filled by the voters and not by council appointment. Since council terms are four years and the mayor's term only two years it has become common practice for council members to run for the mayor's seat after serving only two years of their term - they can't lose because their council seat is still there if they lose in the mayor's race. However, if they win in the mayor's race their council seat becomes vacant with two years remaining. This vacancy is then filled by appointment of the four council members instead of letting the voters decide who shall serve for the remaining two years. Under the terms of the initiative a council member would have to resign their midterm seat in order to run for mayor - their council seat vacancy would then be filled by the voters in the same election as the race for mayor.

The second initiative deals with the problem common to many local city elections - council seats are filled in a single "free for all" election which almost always ends with winners failing to receive a majority vote. Plurality victories result from votes being split among a large field of candidates in a single election. The problem is solved by having a general election in June which requires a majority win for election. If the seat or seats are not filled by majority votes in June there is a runoff election between the best June candidates in November with the field being reduced to two candidates per seat. This leads to a majority winner in November. In addition to having majority vote winners the improved system will allow many more candidates to run for office. Under the current system many good candidates are reluctant to run because they fear that they may cause a "split vote" that will lead to election of less desireable candidates who might win by plurality. So, the primary vote system has two important advantages - a better field of candidates and winners who have majority support in the community.

The Bartas would welcome help when they go out to collect signatures on the initiatives. They say that having a second person with them really helps improve their rate of signature gathering. Please call, if you can put in a little time with them as they collect signatures. Their number is 772-0250.

Tags:
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA 93401