Item No. 11.
TO:HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
BY:ALICIA DUARTE, CITY CLERK
JOHN M. FUNK, CITY ATTORNEY
DATE:APRIL 28, 2026
SUBJECT:
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS PERTAINING TO THE SUBMISSION OF A BALLOT
MEASURE AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER TO DOWNEY VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider adopting three resolutions pertaining to the submission of a ballot measure amending the City Charter to Downey voters at the November 3, 2026 general municipal election. These resolutions are necessary to place on the November ballot the Charter Amendment that was recommended by the Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee and previously approved by the City Council for submission to the voters.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-8348, calling for the Submission of a Ballot Measure for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election to the Qualified Voters Concerning Amendment to the Downey City Charter;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 26-8349, providing for the Filing of Primary and Rebuttal Arguments and Setting Rules for the Filing of Written Arguments Concerning Amendment to the Downey City Charter to be Submitted at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; and,
3. Adopt Resolution No. 26-8350, requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to Consolidate a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 3, 2026 with the Statewide General Election to be Held on that Date pursuant to Section 10403 of the Elections Code.
BACKGROUND
At its meeting on December 9, 2025, the Council approved a Charter Amendment to be submitted to the voters at the November 3, 2026 election. This Charter Amendment, covering a number of topics and making several technical updates, was recommended by the Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee and will appear as a single measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. For the Charter Amendment to appear on the ballot, certain procedural resolutions are necessary to submit to the County, which are included for the City Council's consideration with this report.
DISCUSSION
The California Elections Code requires that the City Council adopt a resolution to submit a ballot measure amending the Charter to voters at least 88 days in advance of the respective election. For the election scheduled for November 3, 2026, this means that the resolution must be adopted no later than the July 28, 2026 City Council meeting, making it timely here. This resolution contains the precise ballot measure text to be used by Registrar- Recorder/County Clerk in all voter materials, which appears below. Under state law, the ballot measure text must not exceed 75 words in length.
Shall the measure amending the Downey City Charter to clarify the term and duties of the Mayor; incorporate state law prohibitions on councilmembers voting based upon receiving certain campaign contributions; fill council vacancies according to state law; acknowledge the previously Council-approved five-district election system; update the Council appointment process for City board members and commissioners; repeal provisions regarding advisory bodies that no longer exist; and to make other administrative updates, be adopted?
Two additional procedural resolutions are necessary. One is to request Los Angeles County to consolidate the City’s election with the respective statewide general election. The other is to provide for the filing of primary and rebuttal arguments regarding the Charter Amendment. These resolutions should be adopted concurrently with the resolution calling for the placement of the Charter Amendment ballot measure.
The Charter Amendment must be approved by a majority of Downey voters. Under state law, approved Charter amendments take effect when filed with the California Secretary of State after voter approval. If approved, staff will take immediate action to file the Charter Amendment following the certification of the vote by the County.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Efficiency & Adaptability
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
A ballot measure to amend the City Charter is intended to be revenue neutral, but there is an expense associated with the placement of a measure on the ballot and the costs for the election. At the November 3, 2026 election, in addition to the above Charter Amendment, the City Council seats in Districts 2 and 4 will also be elected. In consultation with the County, the estimated election cost for the City Council seats is $116,000 and $314,500 for the Charter Amendment. These figures are estimates and subject to some variance.
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution No. 26-8348 - Calling General November 2026 Election on Charter Amendments.pdf Attachment B: Resolution No. 26-8349 - Setting Deadlines and Rules for Arguments and Rebuttals for November2026 Charter Amendments.pdf Attachment C: Resolution No. 26-8350 - Requesting Consolidation of Election with Los Angeles County forNovember 2026 Charter Amendments..pdf