Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Ch. 2.21 Elections

The mayor shall be elected at-large and have a term of two years. At a general municipal election in 1982, the voters determined to have an elected mayor who should serve a term of two years.

(Ord. No. 713, §§ 2, 3, 4-12-2022)

A. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 34886, four members of the city council of the city of Arroyo Grande shall be elected by-district in separate single-member districts.

1. Members of the city council shall be elected in the electoral districts established by subdivision B of this section, as may be subsequently reapportioned pursuant to state law. Elections shall take place "by district" as that term is defined in California Government Code Section 34871, meaning one council member shall be elected from each district, by the voters of that district alone.

2. Any candidate for city council must reside in, and be a registered voter in, the district in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are issued. Any council member elected or appointed to the seat of a specific district must reside in that district and be a registered voter in that district for his or her full term of office.

3. Termination of residency in a district by a council member shall create a vacancy for that city council district unless a substitute residence within the district is declared and established within thirty (30) days after the termination of residency.

4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the council members in office at the time this section takes effect shall continue in office until the expiration of the term to which they were elected. In the event a vacancy occurs during a council member's term, the vacancy shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 36512(b).

B. City Council Districts and District Elections. Four council members shall be elected on a "by-district" basis from the council districts shown and numbered on the map titled "City of Arroyo Grande District Map" attached as Exhibit A, a copy of which shall be on file in the city clerk's office. In 2022, and every four years thereafter, the following two city council districts shall be elected by-district: District 1 and District 4. In 2024, and every four years thereafter, the following two city council districts shall be elected by-district: District 2 and District 3.

C. Amendment of District Boundaries. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 21601, as it may be amended from time to time, the city council shall adjust the boundaries of any or all of the districts following each decennial federal census to ensure that the districts are in compliance with all applicable provisions of law.

(Ord. No. 713, §§ 2, 4, 4-12-2022)