The San Fernando City Council voted 3-2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance moving municipal elections from November to the statewide primaries, sparking debate over voter turnout and campaign finance.
*SAN FERNANDO, Calif.* — The San Fernando City Council voted 3-2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would move the city's election date from November to coincide with the statewide primaries, setting off a debate about voter turnout, campaign finance, and the cost of holding elections.
Mayor Mary Mendoza and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo and Victoria Garcia supported the move. Vice Mayor Mary Solorio and Councilmember Patty Lopez voted against it.
The ordinance would require approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors before it could take effect.
Under the current system, San Fernando holds its municipal elections in November during the statewide general election. Moving to the primaries would shift the date to June during regular years or March during presidential election years.
City staff noted that changing the election date will cost $75,000, but clarified that this is not additional spending beyond what they already allocate for elections. In a November general election, the cost is approximately $36,000. The $75,000 figure represents the cost of holding an election during the primary.
The move would also shorten each councilmember's term by a minimum of five months.
Supporters argue that moving to the primaries would level the playing field for grassroots candidates against those with deep financial backing.
"San Fernando is a very political city … and it makes it tough for anyone new just trying to be a part of the community … and improve the quality of life of its residents," Mendoza said. "But if we have it in June, maybe you have a little bit of a chance to get in because you're going to have that opportunity for the residents to get to know you."
Councilmember Fajardo expressed similar concerns about the influence of money in local elections. He noted that in the 2020 and 2022 elections, there was an "extraordinary amount of money" used to influence races.
"I don't make this decision in mind with anything that has to do with whether I run or not," Fajardo said. "It's about what future generations of candidates look like, and I'm terrified of a system that encourages people only to run if they've made the right backdoor deals, if they've made promises with businesses so they will get the money."
Councilmember Victoria Garcia echoed these sentiments. She said that in her experience running for office, campaigning was easier during the primaries than the general election because there were fewer distractions from local issues.
"I just think that a person who wants change, a person who's going to put in the work, has a better shot in the primary, and that's what we want," Garcia said.
Opponents raised concerns about voter turnout and the cost.
Solorio pointed to historical data showing that when San Fernando held elections in March during odd-numbered years, voter turnout was less than 20%. When the city moved to November elections in 2018 following Senate Bill 415, turnout climbed to 50%.
The bill restricts cities from holding elections on nonconcurrent dates if such elections resulted in a significant decrease in voter turnout.
"In 2015, the same year the bill was signed, voter turnout in the City of San Fernando was less than 13%. In 2017, the city's last election in an odd-numbered year in March, it was about 16%. But in the November 2018 election, participation increased to 50%," Solorio said.
She argued that moving the date could silence many voices.
"How many voices could potentially be silenced by this move?" Solorio asked. "Even if we look at the lowest voter turnout from city residents in a November election, which is about 4,640, it is still double that of the highest voter turnout in over 10 years in a March election."
Councilmember Lopez focused on the cost, calling the extra $39,000 a waste of money, especially as the city has other issues to address.
"Don't mislead the public. Tell the truth about what's behind this," Lopez said. "It's a political movement for helping your friends, not people like myself, not people who don't speak English well."
Public comments at the Sept. 17 meeting were also divided.
Walter Garcia, a Pacoima resident, disagreed with the notion that moving to the primaries would lessen the impact of special interest groups.
"Money could still flood in. In fact, maybe it's easier … because there aren't many other races that are being considered," he said. "The idea that this is somehow going to help the person who wants to work hard alone is not true in my opinion."
Former Councilmember Sylvia Ballin argued the opposite. She said San Fernando is a disadvantaged community where races are buried at the bottom of the November ballot, with outcomes often decided by political action committees.
"By moving our elections to June, we give our residents a clearer voice," Ballin said. "We give good candidates, those who are motivated by service rather than money, a fairer chance to connect with voters, and we ensure that our city government reflects the people it serves."
The ordinance will receive a second reading later in October before being presented to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for final approval.
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This article was generated with AI assistance.