Palm Springs City Council to decide fate of District 2 election
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The future of Palm Springs’ District 2 City Council seat will be decided Thursday, as the City Council considers whether to appoint the district’s sole candidate, Jeffrey Bernstein, or allow voters to decide the race in November.
Bernstein is the only candidate who qualified for the seat. Under California Elections Code Section 10229, the council must choose one of three options when there are not enough candidates for a contested race: appoint the person who was nominated, appoint another eligible elector if no one was nominated, or hold the election.
If the council appoints Bernstein, the November general election for District 2 would be canceled. Bernstein would receive a certification stating there are no more candidates than available offices and would officially begin the new four-year term after the Nov. 3 election.
But if the council allows the election to continue, write-in candidates could enter the race during the Sept. 7 through Oct. 20 period.
That could open the door for Palm Springs resident Tad Iwan, who says he wants to challenge Bernstein.
Iwan did not qualify during the regular nomination period. He says gathering the required signatures was difficult, particularly because he is not an incumbent.
“It looks like no one is even trying to run against him however I did but I could not get the names because of the intense heat," he said. "Not being an incumbent with all of the connections and networking that goes on in the four years you’re in office, I had to rely on going from door to door to get those signatures.”
The decision has Iwan concerned about whether District 2 voters will have a choice.
“I am concerned about the meeting tomorrow because the meeting will basically put this decision in the hands of city council and I don’t really think it’s appropriate," said Iwan.
The county says holding the election would cost an estimated $22,000. But Iwan says that price shouldn't override a voter's right to have a choice.
"I know there’s some concern about the budget but you know what’s the cost of a fair election," he said.
The issue is not new for Palm Springs. According to a city staff report, the council faced a similar situation in 2020 involving the District 5 seat.
Thursday’s special meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
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