There is probably no more of a political and sensitive task than filling a vacancy created by the resignation or incapacity of an elected official. The last few times that the City of Chula Vista filled a council seat, there was a great deal of controversy. However, there is a way to avoid problems, do it more democratically and still be cost-effective: allow council vacancy special elections by mail-only ballot.
When faced with a council seat vacancy, previous Chula Vista city councils have had to grapple with the choice between cost and democracy. The options to fill council seat vacancies are limited depending on how much time is left in the term of office. When given the choice, there has been a great deal of debate over how to fill those vacancies. Those who favored appointment did so because they said it saves money and those who favored a regular special election did so because they said it was more democratic.
No one can argue that normal “special elections” are very expensive. Normally, elections don’t cost the city that much because it’s just part of the county-wide election process. The County of San Diego is responsible for all of the logistics from hiring workers to printing ballots. However, when the city cannot combine a special election with another election, it must pay for all of these costs.
Two years ago, Robert Ross, a Charter Review Commissioner, proposed a solution to this dilemma. He suggested having a mail-only ballot for special elections to fill council vacancies. This would satisfy the people who prefer to have an election because it’s the most democratic method and would also satisfy those who don’t want to spend a fortune on an election. The savings are substantial with this option costing hundreds of thousands of dollars less than a regular special election paid entirely by the city. Furthermore, the cities of Salt Lake City and San Mateo have found that it increased voter participation.
At the time, the Charter Review Commission considered Commissioner Ross’ idea but the idea got lost among the many proposals with which the commission was grappling. I suggest that it’s time to revisit this idea now before there is a vacancy in the Council, and, as we have seen in the past, council vacancies can come up at any time.
For this idea to be in effect, it must first be voted on by the city. However, based on the past controversies appointing people, the huge cost of regular special elections, and an increase in voter participation this seems like a very viable option to consider.
Richter is a Chula Vista resident and former commissioner on the Charter Review and Districting Commission. He lives in the community of Rancho del Rey.
