Is the current method for electing council members in Santa Clara, which is identical to the system in Sunnyvale, designed to keep minorities from being elected? Santa Clara has a Hispanic Mayor, and a very diverse City Staff and City Commissioners. It is true that several groups in the election put out mailers that had racial undertones and the last Charter Review Committee seemed sidetracked on making the wearing of Red and Gold illegal in town rather than address real issues. It is true that there are online “newswriters” and social media podcasters who are quite racist. But that is a part of democracy. Santa Clara residents are quite capable of selecting their representatives. City residents do not need instruction in democracy. A few council members with friends in online banking may be stupid, but Santa Clara voters can handle their affairs quite well.
