Should Palm Springs voters elect their mayor? City seeks public input on possible change

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Should Palm Springs residents have the power to elect their mayor directly? That's the question city leaders are asking as they consider changing how the position is filled.

Currently, Palm Springs operates under a rotating mayor system, where members of the City Council take turns serving as mayor each year. That system has been in place since 2019.

Now, city leaders are considering whether to return to a system where residents vote directly for their mayor.

The city recently launched an online survey asking residents to weigh in on how the mayor should be selected and what the position should look like moving forward.

The discussion comes after months of community meetings and debate over whether changing the system would give residents a greater voice in city leadership.

Two additional community meetings are scheduled for October 15 and October 19, giving residents more opportunities to share their opinions before the City Council considers its next steps.

News Channel 3's Raymond Kalra is taking a closer look at what the proposed change could mean for Palm Springs residents, why the issue is being discussed now and what could happen next.

Watch News Channel 3 at 5 p.m. for the full report.