Legislation authored by San Diego lawmakers Shirley Weber and Todd Gloria to pave the way for general election runoffs in all San Diego County elections was approved by the state Assembly.
The 51-24 vote Monday on Assembly Bill 901 permits the San Diego County charter to be amended by ballot proposition or a petition signed by 10 percent of qualified voters to require candidates for countywide offices to stand in the general election, even if they receive a majority of the vote in a primary.
“Increasing voter turnout and engagement in our elections is a goal we should all strive for, and AB 901 will help us do that by ensuring decisions are made when voter participation is at its highest,” said Gloria, who represents the 78th District.
“Plain and simple, general elections see a higher voter turnout than other elections,” said Weber, who represents the 79th District. “We see this every cycle where voter turnout is lower in the primary and higher in the general elections. This bill is an effective way to increase participation, which will make elected officials to be more representative of their constituents.”
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
A local ballot measure in San Diego requiring runoffs in the general election was approved by voters in November.
