Harbor District gets new maps for its elections

For the maps, the district Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the configuration, according to video of Wednesday, Sept. 5, meeting, but barely reached consensus over which wards should be the first on a ballot.

Ultimately the board voted 3-2, with commissioners Sabrina Brennan and Ed Larenas dissenting, the northernmost, District 1, and two southern wards, District 4 and 5, should go to the 2020 elections and the middle two will go on the 2022 ballot.

Larenas voted against the schedule with concerns about rushing the process ahead, while Brennan said she felt District 2, the northernmost middle ward, should have been on the earlier ballot.

Because District 2 is among the wards with the highest concentration of potentially disenfranchised voters, Brennan claimed it should go on the ballot in 2020 when there will be a presidential election, which usually invites higher voter turnout.

Brennan blasted her fellow commissioners and suggested their decision could come back to haunt the district.

“That is not in keeping with the spirit of the California Voting Rights Act and it could open us up to litigation. Which, if there are any attorneys, I’d be happy to weigh in on,” said Brennan, looking into the camera recording the meeting. “So there is no way that I could support this because that is not what we are supposed to be doing here. And this doesn’t pass the smell test.”

Brennan and Larenas are both Moss Beach residents and their ward, District 4, will go to the earlier ballot under the commission’s decision. Brennan argued District 2, which includes parts of South San Francisco and Burlingame as well as San Bruno, Pacifica and Millbrae should go to the ballot first.

Board Vice President Robert Bernardo, a South San Francisco resident, countered Brennan’s concern by noting the substantial amount of underrepresented communities collectively included the two southernmost districts, including portions of East Palo Alto, Redwood City and Half Moon Bay.

He claimed allowing those communities to participate in the upcoming election met the mandate under the state voting law calling for prioritization of potentially marginalized residents to participate in elections featuring high voter turnout.

Adhering to state voting law is essential to the election transition, as the Harbor District received a letter from an attorney seeking to compel the change by lawsuit unless commissioners act voluntarily. Many other agencies along the Peninsula have adopted similar election overhauls recently due to similar threats.

The South San Francisco City Council earlier this year approved moving to district elections after a social justice group threatened a lawsuit, and the Half Moon Bay City Council, Redwood City Elementary and Sequoia Union High school boards and San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved the adoption under those circumstances as well.

Proponents of the by-district election system claim the method is superior, as it ensures all communities are represented on a board and protects against potentially subjugating disadvantaged groups.

Critics, meanwhile, have claimed the system promotes balkanization, or encourages elected officials to lose sight of their agency’s collective best interest in favor of advocating solely for those in their ward.

Brennan, a staunch advocate for by-district elections, said she will work alongside any attorney wishing to overturn the commission’s most recent decision.

“If anyone decides to sue the district over this, I will support them,” she said.

For McGrath’s departure, he lauded the district’s ability to shore up its finances, strike labor deals with worker unions and complete infrastructure improvements at Romeo Pier and Oyster Point Marina among his most notable accomplishments.

“It has been a challenge and an honor to work for the district,” said McGrath, in a prepared statement. “Due to the hard work of a solid team of professionals, the district has come a long way and has accomplished much in the last three years.”

McGrath said his last day with the district will be Monday, Dec. 10.

Board President Virginia Chang Kiraly appreciated his service over the past few years.

“The Harbor District is stronger and healthier than when he arrived. We wish him the best and are confident in the abilities of the team he leaves behind,” she said in a prepared statement.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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