AUSD Prepares Switch to District Elections in 2020
The Antioch Unified School District could soon follow in the city's footsteps and switch to district elections for school board members.
Earlier this year, the district received a demand letter from Walnut Creek attorney Scott J. Rafferty claiming the district's at-large voting system "dilutes minority electoral influence" in board elections. Concerned the district could be sued under the California Voting Rights Act, the district's staff has prepared a resolution to begin the process of creating individual districts, from which voters would elect one board member.
District elections would begin in 2020, under the proposal. The school board is expected to discuss the matter at its Wednesday meeting.
Last year, the city of Antioch received a similar demand letter and will transition to single member districts for its four council members in 2020. The mayor will still be elected at large.
The Antioch school board has five members who are elected for four-year terms, with elections staggered every two years.