March 28, 2024

The City Council of San Marcos voted Wednesday to cancel the November 4th election. The vote was 3-2 with Orlando and Jenkins voting to keep the November 4th election. The next General Municipal Election was scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2014 for the expiring terms of Mayor Jim Desmond, Councilmember Kristal Jabara, and Councilmember Chris Orlando. No other candidates signed up to run for election.

The council voted individually to appoint Mayor Jim Desmond, Councilmember Kristal Jabara, and Councilmember Chris Orlando to 4 year terms. Formalities around recusing from voting was followed by each incumbent for the individual seat votes.

The City had a deadline of August 21 to notify the Registrar of Voters it was going to hold an election. Write-in candidates would have had from 9/8 – 10/21 to file as a write in candidate.
The debate centered around saving $21,000-$31,000 in elections costs, transparency, eliminating write-in campaign possibility, and the fundamental right to vote.
This will be the final City Council Term for Chris Orlando due to term limits. He can later run for Mayor. This will also be the final term for Mayor Jim Desmond.