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Bill would move county board of education elections to general election to boost turnout
Summary
Sen. Tom Umberg’s SB 249 would shift county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters said the change would increase turnout and representation; opponents — including the Orange County Board of Education — raised concerns about local control and potential state mandate costs.
Sen. Tom Umberg introduced SB 249 to the Assembly Education Committee, proposing that elections for county boards of education be held at the statewide general election rather than during the primary. “Primary elections have a turnout that is significantly smaller than the general election,” Umberg told the committee, citing turnout differences in Riverside and Alameda counties as examples.
The League of Women Voters’ Savannah Jorgensen told the committee the measure would produce more representative outcomes. “Turnout in the 2024 primary was 35% of registered voters compared with 71% during the 2024…
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