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Letter: Support Measure B

San Mateo County, with a population of over 700,000, is currently the only county in California that elects supervisors county-wide. This means a candidate must appeal to all residents instead of the roughly 140,000 who live in a particular district.

Currently, it costs about $400,000 to successfully run for a seat county-wide versus about roughly $80,000 to run in a district. So only candidates who are already wealthy, or powerful, or well-known have a chance of winning.

This is why there has not been an incumbent unseated on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in more than 30 years. It is also why there have been very few traditional minorities elected. San Mateo County is currently being sued to stop its at-large elections and the county is spending tax dollars to preserve the status quo.

Let's bring San Mateo County into the 21st century and in line with all other 57 counties in the state. A "yes" vote on Measure B is not only the right thing to do, but it will also stop the county from spending money it does not have to defend an antiquated system in court — a fight that will likely be unsuccessful and definitely expensive.

Kaia Eakin Redwood City