Huntington Beach residents could soon see a significant change in how they vote for city council members.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Craig Griffin has ordered the city to adopt a ranked-choice voting system, a decision that follows a lengthy legal battle over the city’s current at-large voting system. This new system will require all seven city council members to be elected at once, potentially increasing election costs.
The ruling comes after a lawsuit argued that the at-large system diluted the voting power of Latino residents, particularly in the Oak View neighborhood. Judge Griffin agreed, citing “racially polarized voting” in Huntington Beach elections. The case, brought by the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project and local resident Victor Valladeres, aims to give minority communities a stronger voice in local government.
Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference. If no candidate receives more than half of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes are redistributed based on the next preference. This process continues until a candidate surpasses the 50% threshold.
Judge Griffin’s decision also aligns with the California Voting Rights Act, which has prompted similar changes in other cities. Unlike district elections, which limit voting to specific areas, ranked-choice voting maintains the city’s at-large system, allowing all residents to vote for every council seat.
City Attorney Michael Vigliotta stated that the city is reviewing the decision and considering its next steps. The ruling requires the new system to be implemented by the November 2026 election, or by 2028 if the Orange County Registrar of Voters cannot support it sooner. This change could shorten the terms of some current council members.
Despite potential legal challenges, attorney Kevin Shenkman, representing the plaintiffs, praised the ruling. He noted that ranked-choice voting could bring “sanity” to the city council and enhance representation for minority communities.
The decision remains tentative, with both parties having a limited time to file objections. The ruling reflects a broader trend in California to address voting rights and ensure fair representation for all communities.
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