San Mateo County considers charter amendments: Board of Supervisors may establish independent redistricting committee, extend vacancy appointment process, state county priorities of equity, sustainability

This year, the committee suggested six amendments, and supervisors ultimately agreed to explore four of them, including establishing an independent redistricting committee, extending the vacancy appointment window, and adding language to reflect county priorities of equity and climate resiliency. 

The county’s charter was described by a supervisor as “sacred,” and another emphasized the county is only required to convene the committee, not to necessarily follow through with any recommendations. County Attorney John Nibbelin described it as the “constitution of the county.” 

“It really deals with, philosophically, core issues of the structure and organizations of county governments and those are very fundamental and major issues,” Nibbelin said. 

The county must adopt an ordinance that calls for an election that will then ask voters to approve the amendments. While supervisors agreed each amendment was important and should be addressed, a lengthy discussion was held on if the amendments were worth an election campaign and associated costs. 

It is estimated to cost around $750,000 to call an election for a proposed charter amendment, but the actual number could vary greatly depending on how many amendments the county will pursue further. 

While Supervisor Jackie Speier said “democracy is not cheap” and any costs associated with calling an election should not hinder “giving voters the opportunity to weigh these issues,” supervisors David Canepa and Ray Mueller indicated early on in the discussion that at least some of the amendments could be addressed outside of the realm of the charter. 

“I have deep respect and reverence for the commission, but I think … there’s things that can be accomplished policywise that does not require us to go before the voters,” Canepa said. 

By the end of the meeting, though, the majority of supervisors agreed to instruct county staff to delve further into four possible amendments. 

Redistricting commission

A highly debated amendment included the proposal to establish an independent redistricting commission, which would work to determine supervisor district boundaries after every 10-year census, rather than boundaries proposed by an advisory board for county approval.

“I like the independent aspect of a commission that could look at the interest of the community,” board President Noelia Corzo said. “I do support it, I think it’s something we should consider and I think it’s what’s right for the future of this county.” 

While independent redistricting commissions are proposed to establish fair and representative electoral maps without governmental influence, Mueller expressed concern that commissioners can bring in alliances or biases that impact maps and elections. He, and Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, said they would be interested in the county having a final say on where lines are drawn. 

“Someone’s going to have to point to an independent redistricting committee process, to me, that hasn’t been accused of politics,” Mueller said. “I’m really going to want to understand what that looks like.” 

The supervisorial districts are determined largely on population, but also on geography and communities of interest. Mueller’s District 3 represents the entire coastside in San Mateo County, a unique quality no other districts reflect.  

Supervisor Jackie Speier was in favor of the independent redistricting commission, and even for the potential change in supervisorial district boundaries. 

“I think [Mueller] does an incredible job representing the coast, but if more of us had a greater stake in representing the coast, I think there would be greater ability to address some of the issues that are coastal in nature,” Speier said. 

After representing the coast since 2023, Mueller said he knows its residents don’t want to be divided up. 

“If you’re to ask someone on the coast if they wanted to be split up, I would tell you 9 of 10 times they would say no,” Mueller said. “They believe they’re stronger together.”

Establishing an independent redistricting commission was desired by most supervisors by the end of the meeting, and Mueller even said he could be convinced. 

“If we can put together a process that has appropriate checks and balances so we know it is going to be an independent redistricting process that is unassailable, I can support it,” Mueller said. 

The three other amendments were agreed upon much more quickly. 

Vacancy appointment

One proposed to extend the vacancy appointment window for elected offices from the current 30 days to 60 days, with a required public meeting. This would allow the Board of Supervisors an additional 30 days to find qualified candidates to fill vacancies. 

The board’s appointment process to fill a vacancy was recently used when the governing body had to fill the position of sheriff after former elected sheriff Christian Corpus was ousted. The limited time frame to open applications and find a suitable sheriff was restrictive, supervisors said. 

“I think we were very fortunate to end up where we did with the replacement of the sheriff,” Mueller said. “But, it was incredibly impactful. While it ended well, giving us another 30 days would have been time well spent and useful.” 

Other amendments

The other two amendments may be proposed in a joint ordinance, and would add language to the preamble of the county charter. This would include “designating long-term resilience against extreme weather events,” as a county priority and a statement that affirms the county’s “commitment to the dignity, civil rights, and equal participation of all residents in a manner that promotes equity, fairness, inclusion, belonging, accessibility and opportunity.” 

Corzo said while the amendment may seem small, it’s important to legitimize the sentiments and make them a permanent priority of San Mateo County going forward. 

“It’s entirely possible our county charter hasn’t been amended in many decades and we are in different times now,” Corzo said. “We see a backlash on certain language at a national level and I think we have a responsibility to resist and to lead in the way that our county believes in.”

The proposed amendments will be brought back for board consideration at the next meeting, Tuesday, May 19. If desired, the county must adopt an ordinance approving the proposed amendments and officially calling for an election before Aug. 7, before the amendments can be placed on November ballots. 

Any charter amendments must be approved by voters.