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Kern County board advances measure to ask voters whether county should adopt charter giving local control over supervisor vacancies
Summary
The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted to place a proposed county charter on the June 2, 2026 ballot that would let the local board appoint interim supervisors or call special elections to fill vacancies; proponents said it preserves voter rights and speeds representation, while opponents warned it concentrates power and lacks public process.
Kern County officials on Tuesday moved to place a proposed county charter before voters that would change how vacancies on the five-member Board of Supervisors are filled.
County Counsel Kendra Graham told the board the draft ordinance, modeled on the Shasta County charter, would permit the board to “appoint or call for a special election to fill a vacancy on the board of supervisors,” rather than relying on a gubernatorial appointment in some cases. Graham said the charter text would be submitted to the county’s auditor-controller and the county clerk for consolidation with the statewide June 2, 2026 election and, if approved by voters and filed by the California Secretary of State, would take effect on Nov. 1, 2026.
Supporters told the board that local control would let Kern move faster to restore representation when a seat opens. “Keeping this local…
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