After rejecting past efforts to change its election structure, Cypress looks to be reversing course, joining the growing number of Orange County cities making the switch to by-district elections.
On Monday, Jan. 8, city leaders are set to discuss whether to change to a by-district election system, where voters would choose only one councilmember who lives in their district every four years, commencing with the November 2024 election.
The proposed timeline, from the city, begins with adopting a resolution of intent to move to by-district elections on Jan. 8 and includes five public hearings from January through March. The last public hearing would be on March 11, and the City Council would then adopt the ordinance changing its election system.
Cypress now has an at-large election system, where voters decide on all five council seats, and has resisted legal efforts to change.
In September 2021, Malibu-based attorney Kevin Shenkman sent Cypress officials a letter warning of a lawsuit if the city did not voluntarily switch to by-district elections.
Although 37% of Cypress’ 50,000 residents are Asian American, Shenkman said in 2021, the city has not had an Asian American on the council for more than 10 years. After the city rejected the letter, Shenkman filed a lawsuit on behalf of the voting rights group Southwest Voter Registration Education Project and residents Kathryn Shapiro and Malini Nagpal, who routinely speak at City Council meetings.
Over the past decade, Shenkman has successfully challenged dozens of California cities, school districts and other public entities with the same allegation: Their at-large elections dilute the voices of minorities.
During Monday’s meeting, the City Council will consider settling the lawsuit with SVREP, Nagpal and Shapiro by requesting the court accept its plans to transition to a by-district election system for its council members, per the agenda.
“The agreement gives the city the ability to work with the…
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