RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS
FOR THE CITY MEASURE SUBMITTED AT THE
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026
WHEREAS, §9282 of the Elections Code of the State of California provides for written arguments to be filed in favor of or against city measures not to exceed 300 words in length; and
WHEREAS, §9285 of the Elections Code of the State of California authorizes th e City Council, by majority vote, to adopt provisions to provide for the fi ling of rebuttal arguments for City measures submitted at municipal elections.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETE RMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to §9285 of the Elections Code of the State of California, when the Chief Deputy City Clerk has selected the arguments for and against the measure (not exceeding 300 words each) which will be printed and distributed to the voters, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall send copies of the argument in favor of the measure to the authors of the argument against, and copies of the argument against to the authors of the argument in favor.
The authors may prepare and submit a rebuttal argument not exceeding 250 words or may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument. Rebuttal arguments may not be signed by more than five (5) authors.
The rebuttal arguments shall be filed with the Chief Deputy City Clerk , accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the person(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers, not more than 10 days after the final date for filing direct arguments. The rebuttal arguments shall be accompanied by the Form of Statement To Be Filed By Author(s) of Argument.
Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments.
Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.
SECTION 2. The City Council authorizes the Mayor to file a rebuttal argument, if an argument against the measure is filed, in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code. Furthermore, at the Mayor’s discretion, the rebuttal, if any, may be signed by
members of the City Council or bona fide associations or by individual voters who are eligible to vote on the measure.
SECTION 3. That all previous resolutions providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for city measures are repealed.
SECTION 4. That the provisions of Section 1 shall apply only to the election to be held on November 3, 2026.
SECTION 5. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
SECTION 6. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 2nd day of June 2026.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager