Judge Orders Palmdale to Hold Special Election in June

PALMDALE – According to a story by KHTS Radio reporter Perry Smith at hometownstation.com, Judge Mark V. Mooney handed down a tentative ruling on Wednesday, Nov. 27, that calls “for Palmdale to scrap at-large elections in favor of four districts and a citywide mayoral position, which is currently held by Mayor Jim Ledford.

Smith said the judgment states “no member of Palmdale‘s City Council, save Ledford, can hold office after July 9, 2014, calling for a special election in June.”

According to Smith, attorney Kevin Shenkman, who represented the plaintiff, said the ruling was a very well thought-out decision: “We’re happy because we think the remedy that Mooney has set out will provide an opportunity for Latinos and African Americans in Palmdale to elect their candidates of choice.”

The city of Palmdale did not issue a prepared statement as of publication of Smith’s story; but city spokesman John Mlynar indicated the city would continue to fight the decision, according to court records accessed by Smith.

Smith reports that the city of Palmdale has 15 days to challenge the ruling.

Read the full article by Smith at hometownstation.com.