Title
Adopt a Resolution to Call for a Special Municipal Election to be held June 2, 2026 for Submitting to the Voters a Proposed Charter Amendment Measure for the Transition to a District-Based Elections System Pursuant to the California Voting Rights Act; Consolidating with the Statewide Primary Election; and Setting Ballot Measure Argument Requirements
Staffreport
SUMMARY
In accordance with the California Voting Rights Act ("CVRA") and relevant code provisions in the Elections Code, the City's transition to by-district elections requires for the City Council to call for a Special Election to place the Charter amendment question on the ballot for voters. Consequently, and in the interest of reducing time and costs related to conducting a special election, the City may request for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to consolidate its Special Election with the statewide Election the County is administering on June 2, 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If the City Council wishes to place a Charter amendment on the ballot as well as consolidate the election with the County of Alameda's election, staff recommend the City Council adopt a resolution to:
* Call a Special Election to submit the question to the voters;
* Approve the form of the ballot question;
* Request the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to allow the consolidation of the Special Election with the Statewide Primary Election, to be held on June 2, 2026, and direct the Alameda Registrar of Voters to conduct all necessary services related to the election, and bill the City for the cost of conducting the election; and
* Set forth procedures for the ballot arguments.
BACKGROUND
A. Notice of CVRA Violation.
On November 21, 2024, the City received a notice of potential CVRA violation from Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian, & Ho ("GBDH") on behalf of their client and claimant, San Leandro resident Robert Bulatao. Despite the unsubstantiated allegations raised in the letter, on January 6, 2025, the City Council ...
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