☆ Arguments against special district elections don't withstand scrutiny, city leaders say

With Matt Mahan (D10) and Sylvia Arenas (D8) moving on to new elected positions, the question of how to choose new councilmembers for those districts becomes urgent. Special election or appointment? Local leaders opt for special election. An Opp Now exclusive.

On the canard of low voter turnout:

It doesn't make sense to let current councilmembers--many of whom are terming out-- appoint new councilmembers for D8 and D10. Taken together, those two districts comprise 120,000+ plus voters--and their votes will be taken away from them should council move forward with an appointment. 

It is absurd to suggest that the answer to potentially lower voter turnout in a special election is to create a model that embraces zero voter turnout!  Rather, the city should do more to engage residents to vote in our elections.

Additionally, remember that a two-year term is the same interval as a House of Representative's term.

--Ramona Snyder, former D1 council candidate

On historical precedent:

There is a long and widely-accepted precedent in San Jose that special elections are called when a council seat is open. 

Special elections were called in the past when Councilmembers exited in middle of their city council term, resulting in the election of Pat Dando, Madison Nguyen, Nora Campos, Pierluigi Oliverio, Kansen Chu, and Manh Nguyen. 

It is notable that these special elections resulted in electing female candidates and people of color. 

Allowing residents to vote is the only perceived legitimate way to choose a Councilmember. Any cost associated is simply table stakes in a representative democracy.

--Pierluigi Oliverio, Planning Commissioner and Willow Glen N'hood Ass'n

On electoral accountability:

Susan B. Anthony famously said: “Suffrage is the pivotal right.” And while she was of course speaking about the long-delayed need for women's suffrage in the 1840s and 1850s, the same principle applies to the open seats in D10 and D8. D8 in particular has a large percentage of residents who have been historically denied political rights. 

So, to have a group of 11 people--10 of whom don't even live in the district, and six of whom won't even be on Council after January 1, 2023--decide the representation for wide swaths of the city would be a slap in the face to the clear, citywide vote for increased government accountability we saw in the 2022 election.

--Irene Smith, former D3 council candidate

On a temporarily empty council seat, if council staff remains active:

It is a conceit to believe that residents will suffer while the councilmembers’ seats are empty. For starters, many residents can name neither their district number or their council representative. Secondly, for many of us our council member serves as a conduit to our government services. As long as staff is available to answer our phone calls regarding potholes, garbage service, graffiti, and the like we are generally satisfied. Third, significant issues involving those unrepresented districts can be deferred until such time as newly elected council members are sworn in. Lastly, we residents do have representation in the form of our mayor, who represents all residents of San Jose.

--Pat Waite, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility (in SJ Inside)

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Image by Library of Congress