Commission approves Oct. 23 minutes and updates chair/vice‑chair election rules

The California Commission on the State of Hate recorded two formal votes during its Dec. 9 meeting.

1) Approval of minutes: Commissioner Andrea Beth Damske moved to approve the minutes of the Oct. 23, 2024 meeting; Commissioner Feiler seconded. Deputy Director Watts called the roll and six commissioners voted "aye," approving the minutes.

2) Election process changes: Commissioners approved amendments to the commission manual to (a) permit self‑nomination for the 2025 chair and vice‑chair and (b) clarify tie resolution by adopting a second round of voting and, if still tied, allowing the CRD director or designee to break the tie. Commissioner Che moved the change; Commissioner Damske seconded. Roll call again produced six ayes and the motion passed.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:21 p.m. after a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Damske and a second by Commissioner Che.

Vote tallies and procedural notes: Roll call results and the names of movers/seconders are recorded in the meeting transcript and minutes. The commission elected to formalize the tie‑break mechanism for a body that currently has eight members; the CRD director or designee will serve as the final tie‑breaker only after a second round remains tied.