No on Measure H

Last June a poorly drafted plan was designated Measure C on the ballot in Santa Ana. In the Nov. 4 general election it will be Measure H. Nothing essential besides the ballot designation has changed. And for that reason Measure H deserves the same fate--rejection by the voters.

Establishing elections by ward and the direct election of the mayor are changes that could improve representation and the elective process in Santa Ana. As we noted in the June election, elections by ward rather than citywide could substantially reduce campaign costs and increase minority representation on the council and in city affairs. Letting the people, instead of the City Council, pick the mayor would give residents a choice they don’t have now.

What isn’t good is giving the mayor the vote only in case of a tie and a veto power that could thwart a council majority by requiring a two-thirds vote to override. It is also bad business to lump the two issues together in one all-or-nothing ballot proposition as Measure H does.

We prefer the City Council’s proposal, Measure G, that would also make the mayor’s office elective but which allows the mayor to vote on any action as a regular council member. Voters should approve it. And the council should give them another opportunity to vote on election by ward.

The Santa Ana Merged Society of Neighbors coalition that proposed both ballot measures had a chance to change or at least separate the two issues that voters turned down last June. Instead, it resubmitted the same poorly drawn measure. It deserves rejection again.