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Board Elections

Summary

On October 19, 2018, the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 05-18, “Resolution of the Grossmont Healthcare District Outlining the Intention to Transition From At-Large To District-Based Elections Pursuant to Elections Code 10010(e)(J)(A).”

Following the process detailed below, on April 2, 2019, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 02-19, which established and implemented district-based or zone elections commencing with the November 2020 elections. Below is the approved interactive map showing the five zones. Elections for the odd-numbered zones are in 2024, with elections for the even-numbered zones in 2022.

Interactive GHD Map

Here are the numbered zones referenced in the map, the incumbent Grossmont Healthcare District Board Members for each, and when their respective seats are next up for election:

  • Zone 1 (Santee): Virginia Hall – November 2024
  • Zone 2 (Campo, Potrero, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove): Randy Lenac – November 2026
  • Zone 3 (La Mesa): Michael Emerson – November 2024
  • Zone 4 (Alpine, Lakeside, Descanso, Pine Valley): Gloria Chadwick – November 2026
  • Zone 5 (Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, Jamul): Robert “Bob” Ayres – November 2024

Background

The Grossmont Healthcare District like many healthcare districts and public agencies in California, used an at-large election system since forming in the 1950s. With at-large systems, board members are elected by the voters of the entire district.

The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (“CVRA”), effective January 1, 2003, made fundamental changes to minority voting rights in California and drove changes to at-large voting systems. Because of increasing voter rights concerns under the CVRA, many public agencies in California are now transitioning to district-based or “zone” elections in which elections are within a district or zone that is a smaller part of the whole district. With district-based election systems, board members are elected only by the voters residing within that specific election district or zone.

Process and Adoption of a Final Map & Election Sequence

New zoning for District maps and the election sequence were proposed in 2019 as a result of public input and Board discussion. Following the April 2, 2019, public hearing, the Board adopted a Resolution approving the final map linked in the above summary.

Additional Resources

Election Code 10010 – This is the text of the state law related to zone-based elections.

Overview of Zoning Process (Information from National Development Corporation (NDC), consultant for District research and mapping; presented at first public hearings (December 2018/January 2019)

District Population by City/Place/Tribal Reservation – This is a supplemental map (in PDF format) of the Grossmont Healthcare District that shows the population size of each major city/place/tribal reservation located within the District service region.

Original Communications Regarding Intent to Transition to Zone-Based Election System, September 2018

General Information

The Grossmont Healthcare District is a political subdivision of the State of California organized under the Local Healthcare District Law, Division 23 of the Health & Safety Code. The District is organized for the purposes described in the Local Healthcare District Law and shall have and exercise such powers in the furtherance of its purposes as established in the law and any other applicable statutes, rules or regulations of the State of California.

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the District. All District powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board. The Board is authorized to make appropriate delegations of its powers and authority to officers and employees. The Board consists of five members, each one a registered voter residing in the District.

Directors shall be compensated at the maximum rate as authorized by the Local Health Care District Law, Section 32103, which is currently no more than $630 per month.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month, at 9 AM, in the GHD Conference Center (9001 Wakarusa St. La Mesa, CA 91942). If the meeting date falls on a legal holiday, the meeting is held at the same time on the next business day.

Elections for the Board of Directors

Per the District bylaws, as established by elections law in the State of California, “An election shall be held in the District on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year, at which time a successor shall be chosen to each Director whose term shall expire on the first Friday of December following such election. The election of Board members shall be an election at large within the District and shall be consolidated with the statewide general election. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the offices to be filled at the election shall be elected thereto. The term of office of each elected Board member shall be four (4) years, or until the Board member’s successor is elected and has qualified, except as otherwise provided by law in the event of a vacancy.”

The filing of a Fair Political Practices Commission “Statement of Economic Interests” (Form 700) is required to seek office in the State of California.

Additional information on running for office maybe obtained from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, which administers elections for the District, or by contacting the District.

Filling of Board Vacancies

Per the District bylaws, “Board vacancies created by the events enumerated in Government Code Section 1770 (a) through (l) shall be filled in the manner prescribed by Government Code Section 1780. The Board may decide to fill the vacancy pursuant to an interview process, or without soliciting expressions of interest, 15 days following posting of the vacancy in three conspicuous places within the District. The person thus appointed shall assume all committee assignments of the replaced Board member.”

Any Board vacancy and the notice of such vacancy will also be posted to the District website. In general, past notices have contained the following information:

“Persons interested in being considered for appointment as a board member to fill the vacancy must submit an application by letter to the Grossmont Healthcare District, 9001 Wakarusa Street, La Mesa, California 91942, Attention: Chief Executive Officer. The letter must state the qualifications of the applicant and the reasons the applicant desires to be appointed to the board. All applications must be received by the Grossmont Healthcare District no later than (date/time).

“Please be advised that the Board of Directors may consider the appointment of a new director to fill the vacancy at a meeting of the board to be scheduled subsequent to the deadline for applications.

“Applicants for the Board position must be registered voters residing within the boundaries of the Grossmont Healthcare District (Health & Safety Code Section 32100) and be prepared to serve as a director for the term ending December (date/year).

“Applicants must file a Fair Political Practices Act Disclosure Statement (FPPC Form 700) in accordance with the provisions of that Act and implementing regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission. The Disclosure Statement must be filed at the District office with the application for appointment.”

Additional information about filling a vacancy on the Board may be obtained by contacting the Grossmont Healthcare District.

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