DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR
May 20, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org
1 • In February, Council directed staff to prepare a draft ballot measure to directly elect the mayor, for a 2 or 4 year term, and…
• Directed that an ad hoc committee be delegated responsibility for working with staff on the specific elements of the measure.
• Mayor Stone and Councilmember Veenker have been working with staff to prepare tonight’s item.
How we got here…
1 Proposed ballot measure
• Designates one Council seat as Mayor, so that Council will consist of six Councilmembers and one Mayor
• The default Mayoral term is two years. Council could adopt an ordinance increasing the term to four years or decreasing it to two.
• Qualifications –
• Like all Councilmembers: must be an elector (18 years old and US citizen) and a resident of Palo Alto for 30 days prior to election
• New qualification: must have previously served as a Councilmember for at least two years
1 Proposed ballot measure, cont.
• Role and responsibilities remain the same.
• Voters would elect the Mayor beginning with the November 2026 election (service to begin January 1, 2027).
• Term limits:
• Current rule for Councilmembers – max of two consecutive terms • Proposed rule for Mayor – max of two consecutive terms • Proposed cumulative max – no more than 12 years within a 16 year period as either Mayor or Councilmember
1 Next steps
• If Council votes to proceed with a 2024 ballot measure, staff will return to Council with a full ballot package:
• Resolution calling the election
• Ballot question
• Final text of the Charter amendment
• June 10th or 17th
• Consent calendar