On Oct. 9, City Council Member Barbara Hamilton resigned her District 1 seat. District 1 covers the oldest part of Carlsbad, including the Village and Barrio. She was elected in November 2018 to a four-year term that ends in 2022. When a vacancy occurs, the City Council has 60 days to decide how to fill it. Regardless of how the vacancy is filled, the person filling the seat would serve until the end of the term.
“District” elections
Hamilton was one of two City Council members last November to be elected under the new “by district” election system.
Carlsbad, along with dozens of other California cities, was forced to change to electing City Council members by district instead of citywide under threat of a lawsuit under the California Voting Rights Act.
This means that Carlsbad is split into four districts for the purpose of electing City Council members.
The mayor is still elected by the entire city.
What’s the latest?
On Oct. 22, the City Council voted to use an appointment process to fill the vacant seat.
Applicants must live in District 1 and be registered to vote.
The application period is Oct. 24 to Nov. 12.
The City Council is scheduled to consider an appointment at its Nov. 19 meeting.
The City Council has until Dec. 8 to make an appointment, otherwise a special election will be held to fill the seat.
That election would be April 14.
Petition for an election
Even though the City Council decided to fill the seat by appointing someone to serve, voters in District 1 can force a special election if 10% (1,654 voters) sign a petition.
Voters have 60 days from when the vacancy occurred to complete a petition.
Cost
The cost of a special election varies, depending on how many other items are on the ballot.
That’s because the County Registrar of Voters administers elections and charges the public agencies involved for the cost.
A March 3 election would cost Carlsbad between $7,500 and $19,500 because it’s a primary election with lots of other items on the ballot.
An April 14 election would cost between $175,000 and $300,000.
Want to know more?
Get background on Carlsbad’s change to electing City Council members by district
See which district you live in
Read more about the laws related to filling City Council vacancies
Find out the details of how to circulate a petition
See the original announcement of Council Member Hamilton’s resignation
Contact
Office of the City Clerk
clerk@carlsbadca.gov
760-434-2808
October 23, 2019
