Latest update shows leads growing for frontrunners in Palm Springs election
The Riverside County Registrar of Voters has released the latest update for the Palm Springs district elections.
Frontrunners Grace Elena Garner (District 1), Dennis Woods (District 2), and Geoff Kors (District 3) remain in the lead but approximately 1,000 Provisional ballots still need to be processed, according to the Registrar's office. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than 11/8/19 also remain to be counted.
The election is the city's first to use the district system, in which the city is divided into five districts and residents of each select a council member from that specific area. City Council elections had traditionally be done on an at-large basis, with voters citywide choosing from a slate of candidates to fill available seats.
Voters are choosing their representatives from Districts 1, 2 and 3. The transition to the district system will be completed in November 2020, when elections are held for Districts 4 and 5.
What district are you in? Find out in this interactive map
The switch was prompted by the threat of a legal challenge contending the at-large system violated the California Voting Rights Act. The threat has prompted municipalities across the state to move away from the at-large system.
The City Council approved the district maps last year. District 1 represents the northern and northeastern parts of the city, with the districts generally moving numerically southward, with District 5 covering the south and southwestern parts of the city.
The only incumbent in this election is Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem Geoffrey Kors from District 3. Mayor Rob Moon and Councilman J.R. Roberts did not seek reelection. Both also would have been in District 3.
The next update is expected to be released on Thursday afternoon. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.
