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HomeMeasure C Ballot Analysis-SD
 

Measure C:  Amendments to San Diego Charter Section 66 Regarding Board of Education Elections 


The Question

Should the San Diego City Charter be amended to eliminate primary elections for members of the Board of Education for the San Diego Unified School District if only two or fewer candidates qualify to run?


The Situation

Charter Section 66 governs the composition and election of the San Diego Unified School Board. Under this section, the two candidates that qualify to run for a particular School Board seat and receive the most votes in the primary election advance to the general election. When there are only two candidates, they must run twice–once in the Primary and again in the general election. The same scenario applies to a candidate running unopposed.


The Proposal

If two or fewer candidates, including write-ins, qualify to run for a particular School Board seat, both candidates would automatically proceed to the general election and would not be voted on in the Primary. The measure was initiated by the San Diego Unified School Board.


Fiscal Effect

The estimated savings for the San Diego Unified School District is approximately $130,000 per seat, based on the cost for the March 2024 primary election. In two of the races, incumbent candidates ran unopposed, while the third race had only two candidates competing.


Supporters Say:

  • Aligns election rules with San Diego County’s process of holding contests for two or fewer candidates only in the general election in November.
  • Saves the school district money, especially in cases where a candidate runs unopposed. 
  • Limits impact of special interests in elections with low voter turnout  by moving one-on-one elections to November, when most voters cast ballots.

Opponents Say:

  • Corporations and special interests will benefit from the change; saving money in single-candidate races by eliminating campaign expenses for primary elections.
  • By eliminating primaries, it offers voters fewer chances to voice concerns and weakens democracy.
  • The money saved by the elimination of primaries  will not be used for students.

For More Information


Supporters:

Dr. Kyle Weinberg, President, San Diego Education Association

Sean Elo-Rivera, President, San Diego City Councilmember

Marni Von Wilpert, San Diego City Councilmember 

Gil Cabrera, Past Chair, San Diego Ethics Commission

Scott Barnett, President, San Diego Taxpayers Advocate 


Opponents:

Let Us Vote Association 

  • John Stump, Former Crawford High School Law Academy Mentor
  • Juan Anaya, Escuela #23 Técnica, Class of 1980 Alumno
  • Elizabeth Moore, Lincoln High School, Hornet Class of 1962 Alumni
  • Scott Kisinger, Interlochen Arts Academy, Class of 1985 Alumni
  • Joel Johnson, Parent of four children, Hoover High School Cluster