Assembly committee advances bill to move county board of education elections to November

The Assembly Elections Committee on July 2 voted to pass SB 249 (Umberg), a bill that would require elections for county boards of education to be held at the statewide general election rather than at primary contests.

The sponsor, Senator Tom Umberg, told the committee the change aims to increase voter participation in these important county-level contests. "The county board of education ... is incredibly important. In order to enfranchise and to include as many people as is practical, this bill moves that election from the primary to the general," he said.

The League of Women Voters of California testified in support. Savannah Jorgensen, legislative representative for the League, told the committee that primary turnout is lower and less diverse, citing Secretary of State participation statistics: "Turnout in the 2024 primary was 35% of registered voters compared with 71% during the 2024 general election," she said, and argued that consolidating the contests would ‘‘ensure that more Californians, especially those from underrepresented communities, have a meaningful voice in choosing the leaders who shape our local education systems."

Trustees and officials from Orange County, which currently elects its county board, opposed the measure. Tim Shaw, trustee on the Orange County Board of Education, told the committee the board voted unanimously to oppose the bill and argued the measure ‘‘strips away local control’’ and is unnecessary. Mary Barkey, vice president of the Orange County Board of Education, said moving the contest to November could create confusion and ballot fatigue because November ballots are longer: "The primary election provides an important opportunity ... to distinguish the role of the county board of education from the local school boards in the cities we represent," she said.

Greg Roland, general counsel for the Orange County Department of Education, and other witnesses also registered opposition. Supporters — including California Common Cause, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California and local advocates — urged members to enlarge the electorate for county education offices.

Committee debate was brief. Assemblymember Bennett moved the bill; the committee recorded votes during two roll calls that were later completed when absent members were added. After the committee resumed the roll, the clerk announced the motion carried and the bill was re-referred to the Committee on Education.

Votes at the committee: the committee reported the bill as passed and to be re-referred to the Committee on Education (final committee tally reported as passed). The bill will proceed to the next assigned committee. No policy or implementation changes were made during the hearing.

The committee chair noted the bill had been considered in prior years and referenced a prior veto of a related proposal (SB 907) by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The senator and supporters said the measure is intended to reduce the likelihood that a low-turnout primary electorate would decide countywide education leadership.

SB 249 now advances in the legislative process; any change to election timing would take effect only if the Legislature and, where applicable, implementing authorities follow the normal statutory and administrative steps required under state law.