City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: May 6, 2025
From: Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Submitted by: Sandra Dolson, City Clerk Specialist
Subject
Results of the City of Vernon April 8, 2025 General Municipal Election Recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-011 reciting the facts and declaring the results of the General Municipal Election held on April 8, 2025.
Background
On November 5, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-023, calling the General Municipal Election on April 8, 2025, to fill one Council seat and submit Measures Y and Z to the voters. Measure Y amends Chapters 3.5 and 3.6 of the Vernon City Charter relating to the position of Mayor to be filled by the Council Member entering their fifth (last) year of their Council seat’s term and Mayor Pro Tempore entering their fourth year of their Council seat’s term.
Measure Z amends Chapter 3.4 of the Vernon City Charter to align City election canvassing procedures and timeframes with applicable State election law.
On April 8, 2025, the General Municipal Election was held in conformance with the City Charter, Vernon Municipal Code, California Election Code, and the Federal Voting Rights Act.
Canvass of the returned All Mail Ballots was conducted on Aprill 8, 2025 immediately following the deadline to receive ballots. A second canvass was conducted on April 16, 2025, following the signature verification process of ballots not counted on election night.
Pursuant to Election Code Section 10263, the City Council must adopt a resolution reciting the facts of the election. Attached to the resolution are the Official Results, which detail the total votes cast for each candidate, as well as the votes for and against Measures Y and Z.
Based on these results, Judith Merlo was elected to the City Council for a full five-year term that will expire in April 2030. Measures Y and Z, the full texts of which are encompassed in Resolution No. 2024-023, were approved by a majority of voters who cast ballots.
Following adoption of the resolution reciting the election results, the City Clerk will administer the Oath of Office to the newly elected Council Member.
As the mayoral rotation and canvassing ballot measures are Charter amendments, their effective dates are governed by the California Elections Code and applicable Government Code provisions. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9269, charter amendments must be ratified by the Secretary of State following voter approval and the declaration of election results by the legislative body. Once ratified, the amendment becomes effective unless a different effective date is specified in the measure. In accordance with Government Code Sections 34459 and 34460, staff will submit the Charter amendments to the Secretary of State for filing upon election certification by the City Council. Council reorganization pursuant to the amended mayoral rotation provisions will take place at a City Council meeting after Secretary of State filing and acceptance.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Resolution No. 2025-011