RESOLUTION NO. 26-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AND REAFFIRMING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS PURSUANT TO ELECTIONS CODE §13307 AND ESTABLISHING COST RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRINTING, TRANSLATION, AND DISTRIBUTION WHEREAS, Section 13307 of the California Elections Code authorizes the City Council to adopt regulations pertaining to candidate statements for municipal elections, including the costs thereof; and WHEREAS, the City desires to establish clear and consistent policies regarding the preparation, translation, and distribution of candidate statements; and WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles is responsible for administering municipal elections and providing translation, printing, and mailing services in accordance with federal and state law, including the Voting Rights Act; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to ensure that all costs associated with candidate statements are allocated fairly and recovered in accordance with Elections Code §13307.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Each candidate for elective office may prepare a candidate statement of no more than 200 words, filed at the time nomination papers are submitted, in accordance with Elections Code §13307.
SECTION 2. TRANSLATION POLICY. A. Candidate statements shall be translated into all languages required by federal and state law, including those required under the Voting Rights Act.
B. Translation services shall be provided by the County of Los Angeles or its authorized contractors.
SECTION 3. PAYMENT. A. Translation Costs. Each candidate shall be required to pay his or her proportional share of the cost of translating the candidate statement into any language, including those required by federal and state law and any additional languages requested by the candidate.
B. Printing and Distribution Costs. Each candidate shall be required to pay his or her proportional share of all costs associated with printing, handling, and distributing candidate statements in voter information materials.
C. Cost Estimate and Payment. The County of Los Angeles shall estimate the total cost of candidate statements, including translation, printing, handling, and mailing. Each candidate shall be required to prepay his or her estimated pro rata share as a condition of having his or her statement included in voter materials.
D. Adjustment of Costs. Actual costs may vary. The City Clerk shall bill or refund candidates for any difference between estimated and actual costs on a pro rata basis following the election.
E. Electronic Statements. Candidates may elect to submit a statement for electronic-only distribution. Candidates selecting this option shall pay the associated administrative and formatting costs as determined by the County.
SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS. A. All translations shall be performed by qualified translators in accordance with applicable standards.
B. No candidate shall include additional materials beyond the authorized candidate statement.
C. The City Clerk shall provide each candidate a copy of this Resolution at the time nomination papers are issued.
SECTION 5. REPEAL OF PRIOR POLICIES. All prior resolutions or policies inconsistent with this Resolution are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall apply to the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election and all subsequent municipal elections unless amended.
SECTION 7. CERTIFICATION. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 28th day of April 2026.
Kevin Lainez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Pat Jacquez-Nares, Interim City Clerk
State of California }
County of Los Angeles } SS
City of Commerce }
I, PAT JACQUEZ-NARES, INTERIM CITY CLERK of the City of Commerce, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Commerce held on the 28th day of April 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Pat Jacquez-Nares, Interim City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Resolution No. 26-XX
Approved: April 28, 2026