UC Irvine

The most prevalent form of government in California (1,947) and the United States (38,266) are known as special districts, yet we know little about them. In California, the governing boards of special districts are either appointed or elected, which leads to the possibility of discrepancies in accountability and representation due to the differential selection methods of board directors. Furthermore, are special districts being used as a kind of shallow end of the pool in politics to help start one’s career in public office or a type of resting place where seasoned local politicians continue to make public policy? Historical migration trends, partisanship, political participation, and economic variables were analyzed to test the pervasiveness of special districts. Twenty-five in-depth, elite interviews, an original data set, surveys, and statistical analyses aided the accumulation of new insights and knowledge of special districts. The results demonstrate that the principal-agent relationship between elected board directors and voters is strong, while the majority of appointed board directors deviate from the classical theory by stating their sense of accountability lies with the organization and citizens rather than the person(s) responsible for their appointment. Special districts are regularly being utilized by both experienced local officials and zealous political newcomers who seek to run for higher office—particularly city council. The study concludes by presenting that the effect of historical migration in the U.S. had a significant impact on the establishment and creation of special districts in California, while the effects of partisanship preference and economic factors were moderate. The findings perpetuated from this inquiry allow for the improvement of democratic practices, increase of accountability, and increase of overall knowledge regarding special districts. As special districts remain the most abundant form of government throughout California and the U.S. and are frequently employed as a means of government to provide public services to residents, it is vital to continue researching their effects on representation, efficiency, and growth.