Two Unneeded City Measures : L.A. CITY ELECTIONS; Charter Amendments 1, 2: Election Procedures

The April 8 ballot asks Los Angeles voters to weigh in on a number of charter amendments. Amendments 1 and 2 involve changes in city election procedures that we believe are unwarranted under current rules. Moreover, any change in election procedure would be best addressed within a systematic review and rewrite of the city charter, not the ballot box.

Charter Amendment 1 proposes revisions in election procedures to give the City Council greater discretion in the scheduling and format of elections. The council would be authorized to hold an election over more than one day and the mayor and council would be allowed to decide before each election whether voters will go to polling places or vote by mail.

These changes are not necessary. Existing rules provide enough flexibility and voters have the option now to vote in person or by mail. Currently, regular city elections are held on specified Tuesdays in April and June of odd-numbered years. The City Council already has the authority to move an election up to a week earlier or later, depending on whether the election date falls on the same day as a legal holiday or if a previously scheduled, significant event or occurrence would reduce voter turnout. The amendment would allow the council to move an election if such a change “would materially increase electoral participation of the voters.”

Neither the scheduling of elections nor the decision for an all-mail election should be left entirely up to the City Council or mayor. They are not disinterested parties. Vote no.

Charter Amendment 2 proposes the same undesirable revisions to election pro-cedures as Amendment 1, but in this case for election to the Board of Education of the Los Angeles Unified School District. This amendment cannot go into effect unless Charter Amendment 1 is approved. In addition, several provisions of Amendment 1--mandatory mail-in ballots and conducting an election over more than one day--will not into effect unless voters approve Amendment 2.

Vote no on both city Charter Amendments 1 and 2.