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March 6, 2018 <br /> Dear Mayor Pulido and Members of the City Council: <br /> As a board member of the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA), a Santa-Ana based <br /> community organization, I am submitting this letter to express my support for the city of Santa Ana to <br /> switch to a district-based elections system. With a population of 342,930, Santa Ana is the largest <br /> remaining city in California that still elects its council members at-large. This system is no longer <br /> effective in ensuring true and fair representation for all of Santa Ana's neighborhoods at city hall. <br /> Although the City of Santa Ana has made strides in recent years to become a more transparent and inclusive <br /> government, the election system continues to marginalize certain sectors of the community geographically. . <br /> In the November 2014 election, 11% of the population turned out to vote and decided who would represent <br /> each ward for all Santa Ana residents. This is unacceptable and has resulted in certain wards and <br /> neighborhoods, especially those in central Santa Ana, to be underrepresented. In some cases, wards are not <br /> actually getting to choose their ward representative. In 2012, Santa Ana elected a representative for ward 3 , <br /> that wasn't the first or even second choice of ward 3 residents. We have outgrown our ward system. It is ' <br /> time to switch to a district-based elections system so that all Santa Ana residents have better representation . <br /> and an equal voice at city hall. A district-based elections system will improve diversity, integrity, and <br /> accountability in local politics by: <br /> • Bringing government closer to the people. District elections improve accountability. If a <br /> neighborhood is being ignored or neglected, the residents can vote in a new council member who <br /> will better represent them. <br /> • Providing fair representation for everyone. In large, diverse cities, district elections make <br /> sure that ALL neighborhoods have a representative who understands their needs and fights for them <br /> at City Hall. <br /> • Taking money out of local politics. District elections help lessen the influence of money in <br /> campaigns, and allow community candidates a fair chance to run. A grassroots candidate doesn't , <br /> need to spend thousands of dollars on mailers and robocalls in order to reach all the voters in their <br /> district. In 2016, over $310,000 was spent by the winning candidates on their campaigns (on <br /> average, each winner spent $103,000) and even more by special interest groups backing them. <br /> I urge you to switch to a district-based elections system and support all of our residents in having an equal <br /> voice at city hall. This is necessary to ensure a healthy democracy and improved quality of life for all Santa ' <br /> Ana residents. Let's join the cities that have switched from at-large to district-based elections, including <br /> our neighbors in OC, Anaheim and Fullerton, to ensure their growing populations are represented and have'a <br /> voice in local government. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Julie Vo <br /> Board Member <br /> Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA) <br /> (714) 908-6642/julievo@vaala.org <br />