Government The city uses plurality block voting to elect two sets of city councilmembers (in staggered terms). The city council has received a letter written by attorney Kevin Shenkman that claims existence of racially-polarized voting within the city, which combines with this election system to result in a violation of the California Voting Rights Act. The city council held forums for public input on how to respond. The council reached a decision during the March 14, 2022, council meeting's closed session to have the city attorney send a response letter. This letter disagrees with the claims and asks for more evidence.
governmEnT ThE citY uSes pluRality blocK voTinG to elect two setS of CitY counCILmEMBers (in sTaGgeRed termS). ThE ciTy COUNcil hAs receIved a lEtter writtEn bY atTOrney kEvin shEnKman tHAt cLaimS ExisTeNCe of RaciallY-polarizeD voting within thE CITy, WhiCh coMBineS wiTh thIs elecTion sySTEM to rEsUlt iN a vIoLaTioN of tHE cALIfoRnia votIng rigHts ACt. The ciTy coUnciL held forumS for puBlIc inPuT On hOw TO ReSPond. ThE COuncil rEaCHed a DECiSIoN during thE maRch 14, 2022, COuncIL MeeTing's closeD seSsion tO HAvE THe CiTY atTOrNeY Send A reSponse lETTEr. tHis letter DISAgRees with the cLAImS and asks for mOrE EVideNcE.