San Francisco to step down as election director after 20-year career so city can ‘take action’ on ‘racial equity plan’

The San Francisco Election Commission has voted not to renew the contract of its election director despite his successful 20-year track record so the city can “take action” on its “racial equity plan.”

In a 4-2 Commission vote last week, city officials decided not to renew a fifth five-year contract for John Arntz, who is White, despite overwhelming approval of his tenure as elections director , a move that led to swift condemnation.

“We are very concerned that the Election Commission is actively seeking to remove John Arntz from his job as Director of Elections,” division director Mayank Patel said in an email to the department, which included a letter signed by others 11 division managers detailing why. they supported the renewal of Arntz’s mandate.

The Department of Elections is considered to continue early voting for the San Francisco City Council “Consolidated General Election” on October 28, 2022.
(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

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“Under Director Arntz’s leadership, our Department successfully conducted over thirty public elections and rebuilt public confidence in the city’s election processes from the ground up,” he added. “All of us have worked with Director Arntz and know that under his experienced and proven leadership, we will continue to provide the voters of the city with excellent service as we fulfill our mission of conducting free, fair and functional elections for many years to come.” “.

Commission officials tried to assure Arntz that the decision to remove him from the top job was not a review of his tenure, but a decision that came down to the issue of racial equality.

“Our decision was not about your performance, but after twenty years we wanted to take action on the city’s racial equity plan and give people a chance to compete for a leadership position,” wrote the Commission President Chris Jerdonek in an email to Arntz. according to various local media.

A voting sign is seen outside San Francisco City Hall as early voting continues for the “Consolidated General Election” on October 28, 2022.
(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

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City attorney David Chiu said he was “puzzled” by the commission’s decision and suggested “some people have forgotten the history of this department.”

“Before director Arntz, we had five directors in as many years, ballot boxes floating in the bay and an intense lack of confidence in municipal elections,” he added.

Another official, District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani, took to Twitter this week to call the decision “a lack of accountability on the part of the Commission.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks during a briefing outside San Francisco City Hall on December 1, 2021.
(AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed also opposed the commission’s vote, saying, “John Arntz has served San Francisco with integrity, professionalism and has remained completely independent.”

“He has remained impartial and avoided getting caught in the web of city politics, which is what we are seeing now as a result of this unnecessary vote,” he added, Mission Local reported. “Instead of working on key issues to recover and rebuild our city, this is a prime example of the unfair politicization of a key part of our government that is working well for the voters of this city.”

Arntz’s contract ends in May of next year, although he could choose to reapply for the job.

Fox News could not immediately reach the commission for comment.