SACRAMENTO—With a vote of 71-3, the California State Assembly passed a bill today that would authorize California Community College Districts to adopt trustee-area elections if approved by the California Community College Board of Governors. The bill will now be sent to the Governor's desk.

If signed, AB 684 by Assemblymember Marty Block, D-San Diego, would authorize a process for the community college districts to switch to trustee area elections by requiring them to pass a resolution locally and then seek approval from the State Board of Governors.

"At-large trustee elections can dilute the voting power of minority groups concentrated in particular geographic areas of a district resulting in a lack of fair representations for those groups," said Assemblymember Block. "The California Voting Rights Act prohibits such dilution. With the approval of AB 684, the California community college district's board of governors will allow districts to avoid costly, protracted litigation by voluntarily adopting trustee area elections."

Additionally, AB 684 would allow the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District to adopt the by-trustee area election system for the 2012 election cycle.

Assemblymember Marty Block proudly represents the cities and communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, San Diego, and Spring Valley.

Contact: Courtney Miller (916) 202-0003