Irvine Should Consider District Elections

The available evidence suggests that Irvine would be well advised to consider adopting a system of district elections for members of the City Council.

A progressive reform, at-large elections were intended as an attack on the urban political machine. However, as social science research shows, at-large elections have serious disadvantages. They are biased against the representation of lower-income persons and minorities.

A 1982 study of council members from U.S. cities of 50,000 or more found that council members from at-large cities had significantly higher incomes and educational attainments than those from district cities.

Additionally, studies show that blacks, Hispanics and other people of color are underrepresented on councils elected at-large.

At-large elections seriously inhibit the goals of fair and equitable representation, with the exception that female candidates do slightly better in at-large rather than in district elections.

District elections eradicate these representational disadvantages and also have independent advantages.

First, they reduce the cost of running for office since constituency size is sharply reduced. As a result, a greater number of citizens will be able to seek public office without incurring onerous financial and political obligations. This may also reduce the aggregate amount of money contributed and spent in Irvine elections.

Second, district elections strengthen accountability between elected official and constituents. It’s easier to represent smaller than larger constituencies. District representatives may develop a fuller understanding of their constituents’ interests, and constituents can depend upon their council member to speak for them at City Hall.

The downside to district elections is that they may foster some parochialism at the expense of the general interest.

The advantages and disadvantages of these two procedures for electing the City Council should be applied to Irvine’s specific political needs and values. This requires careful investigation.

MARK P. PETRACCA, Irvine