Los Angeles Municipal Code Art. IV Elections

Section

General Provisions Relating to Elections

400 Types of Elections. 401 Election Days – City of Los Angeles and Board of Education. 402 Ordinance Ordering the Holding of an Election. 403 Officers of Election. 404 Returns of Election.

405 Employment of Additional Persons. 406 Recounts. 407 Eligibility for Office. 408 Eligibility to Vote. 409 Filling Vacancies in the Offices of Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and Member of the City Council. 410 Filling Vacancies in the Office of Members of the Board of Education. 411 Substantial Compliance with Election Requirements. 412 City Election Code; Amendments.

Primary Nominating and General Municipal Elections

420 Candidate’s Filing Fee. 421 Declaration of Intention. 422 Nominating Petition. 423 Withdrawal of Nominating Petition. 424 Primary Nominating Election Ballot. 425 Results of Primary Nominating Election. 426 General Election Ballot. 427 Death or Disqualification of Candidate.

Recall

430 Subject of Recall. 431 Recall Petition. 432 Action by Council on Recall Petition. 433 Supporting and Opposing Arguments. 434 Prohibition on Reappointment. 435 Recall Ballot. 436 Nomination of Candidates to Replace Recalled Officer. 437 Election of Candidate to Succeed Recalled Officer. 438 Removal of Appointed Officers. 439 Resignation or Vacancy Pending Removal. 440 Removal of the City Clerk.

Initiative

450 Subject of Initiative. 451 Initiative Petition. 452 Action by Council on Initiative Petition Requesting Adoption of Ordinance. 453 Action by Council on Initiative Petition Requesting Amendment or Repeal of Ordinance. 454 Supporting and Opposing Arguments. 455 Adoption of Ordinances by Initiative.

Referendum

460 Subject of Referendum. 461 Referendary Petition. 462 Action by City Council on Referendary Petition. 463 Conflict Between Measures. 464 Amendment and Repeal of Ordinances Adopted by Initiative and Referendum.

Campaign Finance

470 Limitations on Campaign Contributions in City Elections. 471 Public Matching Funds and Campaign Expenditure Limitations.

City of Los Angeles Independent Redistricting Commission

480 Commission Establishment and Purpose. 481 Commission Organization, Powers, and Duties. 482 Commissioner Qualifications and Restrictions. 483 Commissioner Selection and Removal. 484 Redistricting Criteria. 485 Public Meetings, Outreach, and Accessibility. 486 Commission Conduct of Business, Administration, and Personnel. 487 Adoption of Final Redistricting Plan. 488 Commission Funding. 489 Commission Recommendations. 490 City Data Bureau.

GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO ELECTIONS

Sec. 400. Types of Elections.

Municipal elections held in the City of Los Angeles shall be classified as primary nominating elections, general municipal elections and special elections.

Sec. 401. Election Days – City of Los Angeles and Board of Education.

For City offices and elections of the Board of Education, primary nominating elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March in every even-numbered year, and general municipal elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year. The Council may, by ordinance, specify different dates for the primary nominating and general municipal elections so that they may be held on the same dates as the statewide primary and general elections.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment R § 1, approved March 5, 2002, effective April 12, 2002; Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment E, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Charter Amendment EE, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Charter Amendment HH, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 402. Ordinance Ordering the Holding of an Election.

The Council shall, by ordinance, order the holding of all elections. The ordinance ordering the election shall specify the object and time of holding the election and whether the election is to be conducted by the City Clerk or, alternatively, consolidated with another election or otherwise conducted by the County of Los Angeles. The ordinance also shall establish election precincts, designate polling places and name officers of election for each precinct, and may do so by making reference to other enactments or documents. Any ordinance ordering the holding of an election may also order the holding of a run-off election, to be held if necessary.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 403. Officers of Election.

Officers of election for elections conducted by the City Clerk shall be selected and appointed in accordance with procedures set forth in the City Election Code. No candidate who has taken out papers for nomination, nor a member of his or her immediate family, shall be permitted to act as an election officer, nor shall the polling place be held in his or her residence.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 404. Returns of Election.

The returns of every election conducted by the City Clerk shall be delivered to the City Clerk, who shall, within 28 days after any election, canvass the returns and certify them to the Council, who shall declare the result and order the issuance of certificates of nomination or election as appropriate. The Council shall be the judge of the qualifications of all of the elected officers. When any municipal election is consolidated with any state or county election, after the Board of Supervisors or Registrar of Voters of Los Angeles County has canvassed the returns and certified the result of the canvass of all municipal questions submitted at the election to the Council, the Council shall declare the result and order the issuance of certificates of nomination or election as appropriate. Any act in relation to the conduct of the election required by the Charter to be performed by an officer or employee of the City may be performed by the proper officer or employee of the county.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment R § 2, approved March 5, 2002, effective April 12, 2002; Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 405. Employment of Additional Persons.

Whenever requested by the City Clerk, the Council shall authorize the Clerk to employ those persons, in addition to the persons regularly employed in the Clerk’s office, as may be necessary to assist in the performance of any duty imposed upon the Clerk in connection with the conduct of any election. The provisions of the Charter respecting the classified civil service of the City shall not apply to the persons so specially employed.

Sec. 406. Recounts.

(a) Applicability. This section governs recounts of elections of the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District

conducted by the City Clerk. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any person from contesting the results of any election by judicial proceedings authorized by law.

(b) Procedure. Within five days after the Council's declaration of the results of an election, any registered voter of the City, or of the School District in the case of Board of Education elections, may file with the City Clerk a written request to recount all of the votes cast at that election for candidates for any office, or for and against any measure. The request shall comply with the requirements of the City Election Code. The recount shall be conducted publicly and shall commence not more than seven calendar days after the City Clerk's acceptance of the recount request. No person who is an interested party to the recount shall be involved in the recount. The recount shall otherwise be conducted in accordance with procedures set forth in the City Election Code.

(c) Results of Recount. Upon completion of the recount, the Council shall declare the result. If any person who had not been declared nominated or elected is found upon the recount to be entitled to nomination or election, the Council shall so declare and direct that the proper certificate of nomination or election be issued to that person. If by the recount it is determined that the result of a ballot measure election is different than as already declared, the Council shall so declare.

(d) Costs of Recount. Any request for recount shall be accompanied by a bond or cash deposit in a sum specified by ordinance, in a form satisfactory to the City Clerk. The bond or deposit shall be payable to the City of Los Angeles in the event that the recount does not change the result of the election. If the result of an election is changed by the recount, the expense of the recount shall be borne by the City, and the bond or cash deposit shall be returned to the elector who requested the recount. The results of an election are considered changed if the identity of any person who had been declared nominated or elected is changed, or if the approval or disapproval of any ballot measure is changed.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 407. Eligibility for Office.

(a) Election. To be eligible for nomination or election to any office under the Charter, a person must be a registered voter of the City or of the School District in the case of candidates for the Board of Education, at the time of his or her nomination and election, and have been a resident of the City, in the case of candidates for Mayor, Controller, or City Attorney, or of the Council district or Board district from which he or she is nominated or elected in the case of candidates for City Council and Board of Education, for at least 30 days immediately preceding the first day upon which candidates could file a Declaration of Intention to run for office at that election. When an election is to be held to fill a vacancy in an elected office and the Charter does not require the filing of a Declaration of Intention to run for that office, the 30 day residency requirement shall be measured from and precede the first day upon which candidates are permitted to secure Nominating Petitions for that office from the City Clerk.

(b) Appointment. The eligibility requirements of subsection (a) shall also apply to persons appointed to fill a vacancy in an elected office; however, the 30 day residency requirement shall be measured from and precede the date of appointment.

(c) Disqualification. No person shall be eligible to file a Declaration of Intention to run for City office or for election or appointment to any elected City office, who, within the prior five years:

(1) was convicted of a felony or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony charge; or

(2) was convicted of a violation of the conflict of interest or governmental ethics provisions of the Charter, City ordinances, or state or federal law, unless the court at the time of sentencing specifically determines that this provision shall not apply.

(d) Any person disqualified under these provisions from seeking election or appointment to an elected City office shall likewise be

ineligible for the same period of time to hold any appointed position in the City government.

Sec. 408. Eligibility to Vote.

To be eligible to vote at any of the elections held under the Charter, a person must be registered in the manner and have the qualifications required by the general laws of this state respecting the registration and qualification of voters for state and county elections.

Sec. 409. Filling Vacancies in the Offices of Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and Member of the City Council.

Vacancies in the offices of Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and members of the City Council shall be filled by appointment or election in the manner set forth in this section.

(a) Appointment. The Council may fill a vacancy by appointing a person to hold the office for the portion of the unexpired term

remaining until the next second Monday in December of an even-numbered year. If any portion of the term remains after that date, the Council shall also call a special election or elections to fill the remainder of the term, and shall consolidate the election with the primary nominating election and general municipal election next following the appointment. If a vacancy is filled by appointment after the first date fixed by law for filing a Declaration of Intention to become a candidate at the next primary nominating election, the person appointed shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) Special Election. The Council may call a special election, and special runoff election, if necessary, by ordinance for the purpose of filling the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Council shall provide in the ordinance for the consolidation of the election with any other election and for the procedure for nominating candidates, including the amount of the filing fee, if any, to be paid by candidates and other matters pertaining to the election. The Council also may appoint a person to hold the office temporarily until the vacancy election is conducted and the election results are certified and declared.

(c) Recall. Any person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy may be removed from office by the recall in the same manner as if he or she had been elected to office.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment E, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018.

Sec. 410. Filling Vacancies in the Office of Members of the Board of Education.

Vacancies in the office of Members of the Board of Education shall be filled by appointment or election in the manner set forth in this section.

(a) Appointment. The Board of Education may fill a vacancy by appointing a person to hold the office for the portion of the unexpired term remaining until the next second Monday in December of an even-numbered year. If any portion of the term remains after that date, the Board shall also request the City of Los Angeles to call a special election or elections to fill the remainder of the term, and the Council shall consolidate the election with the primary nominating election and general municipal election next following the appointment. If a vacancy is filled by appointment after the first date fixed by law for filing a Declaration of Intention to become a candidate at the next primary nominating election, the person appointed shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) Special Election. The Board of Education may request the City of Los Angeles to call a special election or elections for the purpose of filling the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. Within 30 days of the Board's request, the City Council shall adopt an ordinance calling a special election, and special runoff election, if necessary, for the purpose of filling the vacancy. The Council shall provide in the ordinance for the consolidation of the election with any other election and for the procedure for nominating candidates, including the amount of the filing fee, if any, to be paid by candidates and other matters pertaining to the election. The Los Angeles Unified School District shall pay for all costs incurred in conducting the special election or elections. The Board of Education also may appoint a person to hold the office temporarily until the vacancy election is conducted and the election results are certified and declared.

(c) Recall. Any person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy may be removed from office by the recall in the same manner as if he or she had otherwise been elected to office.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment E, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Charter Amendment EE, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018.

Sec. 411. Substantial Compliance with Election Requirements.

Substantial compliance with the provisions of this Article shall be sufficient for the holding of any election, and for the approval or rejection of any ordinance, order or resolution submitted to a vote of the electors of the City.

Sec. 412. City Election Code; Amendments.

All elections conducted by the City Clerk, unless otherwise provided in the Charter, shall be conducted and held in accordance with the provisions of the City Election Code. No amendment to the City Election Code shall affect any election, petition, or other election-related proceeding occurring within six months following the publication of the ordinance effecting the amendment.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

PRIMARY NOMINATING AND GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Sec. 420. Candidate’s Filing Fee.

The Council may by ordinance provide for a filing fee to be paid to the City Clerk by each candidate for elected office, provided that the ordinance also allows the requirement to be satisfied by a substitute means other than fee payment.

Sec. 421. Declaration of Intention.

(a) Form and Timing. Each candidate for nomination to any elected office shall sign and file with the City Clerk a sworn Declaration of Intention to become a candidate for the office designated in the Declaration. The Declaration of Intention must be made on a form furnished by the City Clerk, and shall include an affidavit by the candidate that he or she possesses all necessary legal qualifications to be a candidate for the designated office. The Declaration of Intention shall be filed not earlier than 120 days, nor later than 115 days prior to the primary nominating election.

(b) Restrictions; Withdrawal. A candidate may not file a Declaration of Intention to become a candidate for more than one office at the same primary nominating election. Prior to the issuance of a Nominating Petition, a candidate may withdraw the Declaration of Intention to become a candidate for the office designated therein by filing a written statement with the City Clerk. In that case, a candidate may file a new Declaration of Intention to become a candidate for another office not later than 115 days prior to the primary nominating election.

(c) Statement of Economic Interests. Each candidate for Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and member of the City Council shall file a Statement of Economic Interests that itemizes investments, interests in real property and income, except for gifts, received in the previous 12 month period. The Statement shall be filed with the City Ethics Commission no later than the final filing date for filing the Declaration of Intention. A Declaration of Intention shall not be valid unless a Statement of Economic Interests has been submitted by the final filing date for the Declaration of Intention.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment R § 3, approved March 5, 2002, effective April 12, 2002.

Sec. 422. Nominating Petition.

(a) Form and Requirements. The City Clerk shall prepare and furnish a Nominating Petition to each candidate who has filed a valid Declaration of Intention. The Nominating Petition shall specify the name of the office and the name of the candidate to be nominated, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of the City Election Code. In order to qualify a candidate for placement on the primary nominating ballot, the Nominating Petition shall be signed by at least 500 registered voters of the City, in the case of nomination to an office elected at large, or of the Council district or Board district in the case of nomination to the City Council or Board of Education. Only signatures of registered voters living within the Council district or Board district, as the case may be, shall be counted in determining the

sufficiency of those petitions. Voters may sign more than one petition for a candidate for the same office. A petition presented to the City Clerk shall not be valid if it contains blanks for more than one thousand signatures.

(b) Filing and Certification. Nominating Petitions shall be filed with the City Clerk not more than 115 days and not less than 90 days prior to the primary nominating election. No Nominating Petition shall be filed with the City Clerk until any filing fee requirement has been satisfied. The City Clerk shall examine the Nominating Petition, and determine whether it contains the requisite number of signatures of qualified registered voters, in accordance with procedures contained in the City Election Code. When the City Clerk has completed the examination of the petition, the Clerk shall prepare a dated certificate showing the result of the examination.

(c) Supplementing the Petition. The City Election Code shall govern the process by which and circumstances under which an insufficient Nominating Petition may be supplemented. However, no supplement to a Petition shall be allowed after the expiration of the time for filing the Nominating Petition set forth in the Charter, and no signature may be withdrawn from a Nominating Petition after its presentation to the Clerk.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment R § 4, approved March 5, 2002, effective April 12, 2002.

Sec. 423. Withdrawal of Nominating Petition.

Within three days after the expiration of the time for filing a Nominating Petition, any person for the nomination of whom a petition has been filed, may cause his or her name to be withdrawn from nomination by filing a request in writing with the City Clerk. No name so withdrawn shall be printed on the primary nominating election ballot. If after a withdrawal, or by the death or other disqualification of any person for the nomination of whom a petition has been filed, only one candidate remains for any given office, then other nominations for that office may be made by filing petitions within ten days after the expiration of the time for the filing of Nominating Petitions, but no supplement to any Petition shall be allowed.

Sec. 424. Primary Nominating Election Ballot.

The ballot for any primary nominating election conducted by the City Clerk shall be as follows:

(a) Order of Placement. The names of candidates who have qualified for placement on the ballot, except candidates who have withdrawn or died or otherwise been disqualified, together with any measures or propositions as ordered by the Council or otherwise required by law, shall appear on the ballot. The offices to be filled shall be arranged on the ballot as follows: Mayor, City Attorney, Controller, member of the Council, member of the Board of Education, followed by any other offices to be filled in the order determined by the Council. Measures and propositions shall appear on the ballot in the order determined by the Council.

(b) Nonpartisan Ballot. There shall be nothing on any ballot indicative of the party affiliation, source of candidacy or support of any candidate.

(c) Write-in Candidates. Each ballot shall provide an opportunity for voters to write-in, for each office on the ballot, the name of any person whose name does not appear on the ballot and for whom the voter wishes to vote.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 425. Results of Primary Nominating Election.

(a) In the event that any candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for an office at the primary nominating election, that candidate shall be elected to the office.

(b) In the event no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for an office, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the office shall be the candidates, and the only candidates, for that office whose names shall appear on the ballots to be used at the general municipal election.

(c) In the event that two or more persons receive an equal number of votes as candidates for an office at the primary nominating election, so that the result of the election does not determine which of the persons are entitled to be nominated as candidates, the Council shall draw lots to determine which of the persons shall be the candidate or candidates for the office. The lots shall be drawn at the next regular Council meeting occurring later than five days after the declaration of the result of the election, in the manner the Council prescribes. However, if a recount of the ballots with respect to the office in question is timely requested, lots shall not be drawn until and unless the recount also fails to result in a determination of which persons are entitled to be nominated as candidates for the office.

Sec. 426. General Election Ballot.

The ballot for any general election conducted by the City Clerk shall be in the same general form as for the primary nominating election, so far as applicable, and without any indication as to the party affiliation, source of candidacy or support of any candidate.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 427. Death or Disqualification of Candidate.

In the event of the death, resignation or other disqualification of any candidate nominated at a primary nominating election, the person who received the next highest number of votes for that office at the primary nominating election shall be deemed a candidate and, if practicable, his or her name shall be printed on the ballot to be used at the general municipal election.

RECALL

Sec. 430. Subject of Recall.

Any incumbent of an elected office, whether elected by vote of the people or appointed to fill a vacancy, may be removed from office by the registered voters of the City of Los Angeles, or the registered voters of the School District in the case of removal of a member of the Board of Education. The removal of the incumbent shall be known as the recall.

Sec. 431. Recall Petition.

A recall petition shall comply with the provisions of the Charter and the City Election Code. The following shall apply to all recall petitions:

(a) To qualify for presentation to the City Council, a recall petition shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least

15% of the registered voters eligible to vote for the office, the incumbent of which is sought to be removed. The 15% shall be computed upon the number of registered voters on the date of filing with the City Clerk of the Notice of Intention to circulate the petition described in subsection (b) of this section. If the recall petition concerns removal of a member of Council, or member of the Board of Education, the 15% shall be computed upon the total number of registered voters within the Council district or Board district from which the Council member, or member of the Board of Education was elected. Only signatures of registered voters living within the Council district or Board district, as the case may be, shall be counted in computing the 15%, and only voters residing within the district shall be entitled to vote at the election. All names signed to a petition must have been secured within the time period described in subsection (d), and any signature affixed outside of this time period shall not be counted in determining the sufficiency of the petition.

(b) Before submitting a recall petition for signatures, its proponents shall publish a Notice of Intention and a Statement of Reasons

(Statement) for the proposed recall. No such notice shall be effective if published: (1) before the officer has held his or her current term of office for three months, or (2) within six months of the expiration of the current term of office, or (3) within six months after a recall election at which the officer was retained in office. The Statement shall be served on the officer to be recalled and on the City Clerk, and shall otherwise comply with requirements of the City Election Code. The sufficiency of the Statement shall not be subject to review by the Council; however, the petition, when circulated, shall have attached to it an affidavit of one or more of the proponents that all of the facts contained in the Statement are true.

(c) The officer whose recall is sought, or anyone acting upon his or her behalf, may publish an Answer to the Statement (Answer)

in accordance with the requirements of the City Election Code. If an Answer is published, it shall be served on the proponent of the recall and on the City Clerk, and shall otherwise comply with requirements of the City Election Code. The Statement and Answer are intended solely for the information of the voters and no insufficiency in their form or substance shall affect in any manner the validity of the proceedings taken under the Charter.

(d) Within the time after the publication and service of the Statement as provided in the City Election Code, the petition demanding the recall of the officer may be circulated for signatures. The petition shall contain a copy of the Statement and any Answer, and shall otherwise be in a form prescribed by the City Election Code. Signatures shall be secured and the petition filed within 120 days from the first day to circulate.

(e) Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Article relating to the form and to the mode of signing initiative petitions,

and to the filing, examining, certifying, supplementing, presenting to the Council and the retaining thereof, shall apply to any petition filed with the City Clerk under this section. The sufficiency or insufficiency of any recall petition shall not be subject to review by the Council.

Sec. 432. Action by Council on Recall Petition.

When a recall petition is presented to the Council by the City Clerk, the Council shall within 20 days, by order or ordinance, call for the holding of a special election, and if necessary a special runoff election, for the purpose of submitting to the voters of the City at large, of the Council district, or of the Board district, as the case may be, the question of whether the officer shall be recalled, and if recalled, for the election of his or her successor. The special election shall be held not less than 88 days nor more than 125 days after the date of Council action on the petition; provided, however, that if any other election for any purpose at which all the qualified voters of the City, of the Council District, or of the Board District, as the case may be, are entitled to vote, is to occur during that time period, the Council shall order the holding of the recall election and the consolidation thereof with such other election.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment 2, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 433. Supporting and Opposing Arguments.

Any incumbent of an office whose removal is sought may file with the City Clerk an Argument Opposing the Recall, justifying the incumbent's course in office. The person filing the recall petition, or the person or organization on whose behalf a recall petition was filed, shall have the right to present to the City Clerk an Argument Supporting the Recall. Arguments supporting and opposing the recall shall be submitted to the City Clerk and distributed to the voters in compliance with the requirements of the City Election Code.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment E, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Charter Amendment EE, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018.

Sec. 434. Prohibition on Reappointment.

No person who has been removed from an elected office by the recall, or who has resigned from office while recall proceedings were pending, shall be appointed to any office under the Charter for two years after that removal or resignation.

Sec. 435. Recall Ballot.

In addition to the question of whether the incumbent shall be removed from office, each recall ballot shall also list the names of all persons who have been nominated as candidates to succeed the person whose removal is sought. The name of the incumbent shall not appear on the ballot as a candidate for the office. If a majority of the registered voters voting on the matter vote in favor of the recall, then the incumbent shall be removed from office effective on the date the successor qualifies.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment B, approved May 17, 2005, effective June 7, 2005.

Sec. 436. Nomination of Candidates to Replace Recalled Officer.

Any candidate to be voted for at a recall election, other than the incumbent sought to be removed, may be nominated by petition, which petition shall conform to the provisions of the Charter, so far as applicable, relating to nominating petitions at primary nominating elections.

Nominating petitions may be circulated upon the City Clerk’s certificate of sufficiency of the recall petition. Each nominating petition must be filed with the City Clerk within the time established in the ordinance calling the special election. The City Clerk shall ascertain whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of registered voters of the City, Council district, or Board district, as the case may be, in accordance with the requirements of the Charter and the City Election Code. The City Election Code shall govern the circumstances under which and process by which insufficient petitions may be supplemented.

Sec. 437. Election of Candidate to Succeed Recalled Officer.

If the vote at any recall election shall recall an officer of the City of Los Angeles, or a member of the Board of Education, then the candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for candidates to succeed the officer removed shall be declared elected for the remainder of the term. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes at the recall election shall be candidates at a special runoff election, and whichever candidate receives the majority vote at that election shall be elected to succeed the recalled officer.

Sec. 438. Removal of Appointed Officers.

In addition to any other process for removal provided by law, the incumbent of any appointed office provided for in the Charter or created by ordinance under the authority thereof may be removed at any time after the expiration of three months from appointment by the registered voters of the City. The procedure to effect the removal of the incumbent of an appointive office shall be the same as that for the removal of the incumbent of an elected office by the recall, with the following exceptions:

(a) The petition for the removal of the incumbent of an appointed office shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at
least 20% of the entire vote cast for the office of Mayor at the last preceding general municipal election, or primary nominating
election, at which a Mayor was elected.

(b) If a majority of the registered voters voting on the question vote in favor of the removal of the appointed officer, the officer
shall be removed from office upon the declaration of the result of the election by the Council, and the office shall thereupon become
vacant. The vacancy shall be filled by the appointing power in the same manner as other vacancies, but any appointed officer so
removed shall not be eligible to any appointed or elected office under the Charter until the expiration of two years after removal.

Sec. 439. Resignation or Vacancy Pending Removal.

In the event that any appointed officer whose removal is sought resigns at any time after the filing of a removal petition with the City Clerk, or a vacancy from any other cause occurs in that office, at any time prior to two days before the election, the election shall be held, but the incumbent shall not be eligible to any appointed or elected office under the Charter until the expiration of two years from the date of resignation or removal.

Sec. 440. Removal of the City Clerk.

In the event that the City Clerk is the officer whose removal is sought by petition, all powers and duties prescribed in this Article for the City Clerk shall be performed by the City Attorney and not by the City Clerk.

INITIATIVE

Sec. 450. Subject of Initiative.

(a) Any proposed ordinance which the Council itself might adopt may be submitted to the Council by a petition filed with the City Clerk, requesting that the ordinance be adopted by the Council or be submitted to a vote of the electors of the City. Any proposed ordinance amending or repealing an ordinance previously adopted by a vote of the electors may be submitted to the Council by a petition filed with the City Clerk requesting that the ordinance be submitted to a vote of the electors of the City.

(b) Petitions to amend the Charter shall be governed by provisions of the California Constitution and applicable provisions of state law concerning Charter amendments.

Sec. 451. Initiative Petition.

Any petition submitting a proposed ordinance to the Council as provided in this Article shall comply with the provisions of the Charter and the City Election Code. The following shall apply to all initiative petitions:

(a) Prior to the circulation of any initiative petition, the proponents of the petition shall submit a draft of the petition to the City
Clerk, setting forth the proposed ordinance in full. In accordance with procedures contained in the City Election Code, the City
Attorney shall prepare an official title and summary of the petition provisions of the proposed ordinance. The official title and
summary shall be incorporated into and appear on all copies of the initiative petition circulated for signatures and filed with the City
Clerk.

(b) All names signed to a petition must have been secured not more than 120 days prior to the date of filing. Any signature affixed
outside of this time period shall not be counted in determining the sufficiency of the petition. To qualify for presentation to the
Council, an initiative petition shall be signed by registered voters of the City in a number equal to 15% of the total number of votes
cast for all candidates for the office of Mayor at the last general municipal election, or primary nominating election, at which a Mayor
was elected prior to the date the City Clerk approves the petition for circulation. In order to be accepted for filing with the City Clerk,
the petition must on its face purport to have the requisite number of signatures appended to it.

(c) The City Clerk shall examine the petition and determine whether it contains the requisite number of signatures of registered
voters, in accordance with procedures contained in the City Election Code. When the City Clerk has completed the examination of the
petition, the Clerk shall prepare a dated certificate showing the result of the examination, and shall notify the sponsors of the petition
of either the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition without delay.

(d) The City Election Code shall govern the process by which and circumstances under which an insufficient petition may be
supplemented, the process by which a certificate of insufficiency may be contested, and the process by which and circumstances under
which the signer of a petition may withdraw his or her name.

(e) If, by the certificate of the City Clerk, the petition is shown to be sufficient, the City Clerk shall present the petition to the
Council without delay. The sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition shall not be subject to review by the Council.

(f) No amendments, changes, alterations or corrections of any kind, clerical or otherwise, shall be permitted to be made in any
petition after it has been filed with and approved by the City Clerk.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Subsec. (b), Charter Amendment HH, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 452. Action by Council on Initiative Petition Requesting Adoption of Ordinance.

(a) The proponents of an initiative petition may withdraw the petition in accordance with the procedures of the City Election Code.

(b) When an initiative petition requesting the adoption by the Council of a proposed ordinance is presented to the Council by the City Clerk, the Council must take one of the following actions within 20 days after the presentation, unless the petition is withdrawn by the proponents:

(1) adopt the proposed ordinance, without alteration;

(2) determine to submit the proposed ordinance, without alteration, to a vote of the electors of the City at either a special election, the next regular City election, or the next Statewide election, to be held more than 110 days from the date of Council action on the petition; or

(3) refer the proposed ordinance to a department or office for a report on its fiscal and other impacts on the City, provided however that the Council must take one of the actions described in Subdivisions (1) or (2) of this subsection within 30 days after referring the proposed ordinance for a report.

(c) Any ordinance proposed by initiative petition, adopted by the Council and approved by the Mayor, or adopted over the Mayor's veto, shall be subject to a referendary vote as provided in Section 460 in the same manner as other ordinances adopted by the Council.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Subsec. (a), Charter Amendment E, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Subsec. (a), Charter Amendment EE, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Subsec. (b), Charter

Amendment HH, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 453. Action by Council on Initiative Petition Requesting Amendment or Repeal of Ordinance.

When an initiative petition requesting the submission of a proposed ordinance amending or repealing an ordinance previously adopted by a vote of the electors is presented to the Council by the City Clerk, the Council must act within 20 days of presentation to submit the proposed ordinance to a vote of the electors of the City as provided in Section 452(b)(2) or (3), unless the petition is withdrawn by the proponents.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015.

Sec. 454. Supporting and Opposing Arguments.

Any person or persons filing an initiative petition or the person or organization on whose behalf the petition is filed, shall have the right to file with the City Clerk, within the time specified by ordinance, an argument favoring the proposed ordinance. The Council shall have the right to present, or permit to be presented and filed with the City Clerk within the same limit of time, an argument opposing the ordinance. Arguments supporting and opposing the ordinance proposed by initiative shall be submitted to the City Clerk and distributed to the voters in accordance with the requirements of the City Election Code.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment E, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018; Charter Amendment EE, approved November 6, 2018, effective December 14, 2018.

Sec. 455. Adoption of Ordinances by Initiative.

If a majority, or other percentage as required by law, of the voters voting on any ordinance proposed by initiative petition vote in favor, the ordinance shall become an ordinance of the City upon the declaration by the Council of the result of the election.

REFERENDUM

Sec. 460. Subject of Referendum.

Any ordinance adopted by the Council, except an ordinance taking effect upon its publication or passage as provided in Section 252, is subject to a referendary petition as set forth in this Article.

In addition, the Council is authorized to submit to a vote of the registered voters of the City, at any election for any purpose at which all the registered voters of the City are entitled to vote, any proposed ordinance, order or resolution, that the Council itself might adopt.

Sec. 461. Referendary Petition.

Any referendary petition shall comply with the provisions of the Charter and the City Election Code. The following shall apply to all referendary petitions:

(a) The referendary petition circulated for signature shall contain the full text of the subject ordinance. All names signed to a

petition must have been secured within 30 days after publication of the ordinance. Any signature affixed outside of this time period shall not be counted in determining the sufficiency of the petition. To qualify for presentation to the Council, a referendary petition must be signed by registered voters of the City in an amount equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office of Mayor at the last general municipal election, or primary nominating election at which a Mayor was elected prior to the filing of the petition.

(b) The provisions of the Charter and the City Election Code relating to filing, examination, certification, supplementation and amendment of initiative petitions, the processing of supporting and opposing arguments, and the presentation of initiative petitions to the Council by the City Clerk, shall apply to referendary petitions.

(c) If a referendary petition is filed, and the City Clerk certifies that the petition is sufficient, the subject ordinance, order or
resolution shall not take effect until adoption by a vote of the electors and declaration by the Council of the result of the election. If the
City Clerk certifies that the petition is insufficient, the ordinance shall take effect upon the date of the certificate, but in no event
earlier than 30 days from publication of the ordinance.

(d) If more than one petition is filed with respect to the same ordinance, all signatures on all those petitions shall be counted in
determining the sufficiency of the petition, as though all the names had been appended to a single petition.

Sec. 462. Action by City Council on Referendary Petition.

(a) The proponents of a referendum petition may withdraw the petition in accordance with the procedures of the City Election Code.

(b) When a referendary petition is presented to the City Council by the City Clerk, the Council must take one of the following actions within 20 days of the presentation, unless the petition is withdrawn by the proponents:

(1) repeal the ordinance;

(2) determine to submit the ordinance to a vote of the qualified electors of the City for approval or rejection at either a special election, the next regular City election, or the next Statewide election, to be held more than 110 days from the date of certification of the petition; or

(3) refer the ordinance to a department or office for a report on its fiscal and other impacts on the City, provided however that the Council must take one of the actions described in Subdivisions (1) or (2) of this subsection within 30 days after referring the proposed ordinance for a report.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Charter Amendment 1, approved March 3, 2015, effective April 2, 2015; Charter Amendment HH, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 463. Conflict Between Measures.

If the provisions of two or more ordinances, orders or resolutions adopted at the same election by vote of the qualified electors of the City conflict, then the ordinance, order or resolution receiving the highest affirmative vote shall prevail.

Sec. 464. Amendment and Repeal of Ordinances Adopted by Initiative and Referendum.

(a) Initiative. Any ordinance adopted by a vote of the electors of the City pursuant to an initiative petition cannot be amended or repealed, except by an ordinance proposed either by petition or by the Council at its own instance and adopted by a vote of the electors, or by an amendment of the Charter superseding the ordinance.

(b) Referendum. Any ordinance, order or resolution adopted by referendum shall be subject to amendment or repeal as provided in

subsection (a). In addition, any ordinance, order or resolution shall be subject to amendment or repeal by the Council at any time, but amendment or repeal shall not be made within six months after adoption, except by unanimous vote of the Council, and the amendment or repeal shall be subject to a referendary vote as provided in this Article.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Sec. 470. Limitations on Campaign Contributions in City Elections.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to encourage a broader participation in the political process and to avoid corruption or the appearance of corruption in city decision making, and protect the integrity of the City's procurement and contract processes by placing limits on the amount any person may contribute or otherwise cause to be available to candidates for election to the offices of Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and City Council and promote accountability to the public by requiring disclosure of campaign activities and imposing other campaign restrictions.

This section is intended to supplement the Political Reform Act of 1974.

(b) Definitions.

(1) The definitions set forth in the Political Reform Act of 1974 as amended (Government Code Sections 82000 through 82055) shall govern the interpretation of this section, unless otherwise specified herein.

(2) The term elected City office, as used herein, shall mean the offices of Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and member of the City Council.

(3) The term election shall include a primary nominating election, a general municipal election, a special election and a recall

election.

(c) Campaign Contribution Limitations. In addition to the provisions of the Charter, the City may adopt additional restrictions by ordinance.

(1) No intended candidate for any elected City office, and no committee acting on behalf of such candidate, shall solicit or accept,

or cause to be solicited or accepted, any contribution for use in any election for such office unless and until such candidate shall have filed a Declaration of Intent to Solicit and Receive Contributions in connection with candidacy for a specific elected City office. That declaration shall be filed with the City Ethics Commission on a form prescribed by the City Ethics Commission. Once the election takes place, the declaration is thereafter void. No person may file such declaration for more than one elected City office nor have more than one such declaration on file at the same time. A candidate may, however, file a form canceling one declaration and may thereafter file a new declaration.

(2) The candidate and the treasurers of the candidate’s controlled committees shall file with the City Ethics Commission on a form

prescribed by the City Ethics Commission a statement under oath that the candidate and the treasurers have read and understood Section 470. This statement shall be filed concurrent with the filing of the Declaration of Intent to Solicit and Receive Contributions.

(3) No person shall contribute a total of more than five hundred dollars ($500) to any candidate for City Council and to his or her

controlled committee for a single election. A candidate for City Council and his or her controlled committee shall not accept any contribution or contributions totaling more than five hundred dollars ($500) from any person for a single election. Nothing in this section is intended to limit the amount a candidate may contribute to his or her campaign for City Council from his or her personal funds.

(4) No person shall contribute a total of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) to any candidate for Mayor, City Attorney or

Controller and to his or her controlled committee for a single election. A candidate for Mayor, City Attorney or Controller, and or his or her controlled committee, shall not accept any contribution or contributions totaling more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) from any person for a single election. Nothing in this section is intended to limit the amount a candidate can contribute to his or her candidacy for Mayor, City Attorney or Controller from his or her personal funds.

(5) [Repealed.]

(6) No person shall make a contribution in connection with a single election for an elected City office which would cause the aggregate amount of such contributions by that person to exceed a sum equal to five hundred dollars ($500) multiplied by the number of City Council offices appearing on the ballot at that election plus one thousand dollars ($1,000) multiplied by the number of City- wide offices appearing on the ballot at that election, but in no case less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), in connection with all candidates in that election seeking election to all elected City offices; provided, however, that a candidate shall not be limited by this subsection (6) in the amount he or she may contribute or expend in connection with his or her own campaign, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) (10) of this section.

(7) Contributions From Persons Other than Individuals.

(A) No candidate for City Council, together with the controlled committee of such candidate, shall accept more than a total of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) in contributions from persons, other than individuals, in connection with any election.

(B) No candidate for City Attorney or Controller, together with the controlled committee of such candidate, shall accept

more than a total of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) in contributions from persons, other than individuals, in connection with any election.

(C) No candidate for Mayor, together with the controlled committee of such candidate, shall accept more than a total of nine

hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) in contributions from persons, other than individuals, in connection with any election.

(D) If a candidate for elected City office declines matching funds and receives contributions or spends an amount exceeding the applicable expenditure ceilings, this subsection shall not apply to any of the candidates for the same office.

(8) No person shall make, and no person or candidate shall solicit or accept any loan of more than five hundred dollars ($500) for use in connection with an election for City Council, or of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for use in connection with an election for Mayor, City Attorney or Controller. Further, no person shall make, and no person or candidate shall solicit or accept any loan for use in connection with an election for City office for a period of more than 30 days. Loans to a candidate or to a candidate’s controlled committees shall be counted against the contribution limitations applicable to the candidate. A candidate is not prohibited from obtaining a personal loan of any amount from a licensed financial lending institution in the regular course of business, unless the loan is made for political purposes. This subsection (8) shall not limit the amount or duration of loans from the candidate to his or her own campaign.

(9) Any contributions solicited or accepted pursuant to this section shall be expended only in connection with the candidacy for the office specified in the candidate’s Declaration of Intent to Solicit and Receive Contributions. Contributions solicited or accepted pursuant to this section for one individual shall not be expended for the candidacy of any other individual seeking City office or in support of or in opposition to any City ballot measure. No candidate, committee controlled by a candidate, or elected City officer shall use contributed funds to make any contribution to any other candidate running for office or to any committee supporting or opposing a candidate for office. Provided, however, a candidate shall not be prohibited from making a contribution from his or her own personal funds to his or her own candidacy, to the candidacy of any other candidate for elected City office or in support of or in opposition to any City ballot measure.

(10) [Repealed.]

(11) No elective City officer or candidate for elective City office, nor any of his or her City controlled committees, shall solicit or accept any contribution to the officer or candidate, or to any of his or her City controlled committees, from any lobbyist or lobbying firm registered to lobby the City office for which the candidate is seeking election, or the current City office, commission, department, bureau or agency of the candidate or officer. No person required by ordinance to be registered as a lobbyist or lobbying firm shall make any contribution to an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office, or to any of his or her City controlled committees, if the lobbyist or lobbying firm is required by ordinance to be registered to lobby the City office for which the candidate is seeking election, or the current City office, commission, department, bureau or agency of the candidate or officer.

(12) (A) The following persons shall not make a campaign contribution to any elected City official, candidate for elected City office, or City committee controlled by an elected City official or candidate:

(i) A person who bids on or submits a proposal or other response to a contract solicitation that has an anticipated

value of at least $100,000 and requires approval by the City Council;

(ii) Subcontractors that are expected to receive at least $100,000 as a result of performing a portion of the contract

obligations of a person defined in subparagraph (i); and

(iii) Principals of persons defined in subparagraphs (i) and (ii).

(B) The following persons shall not make a campaign contribution to the Mayor, the City Attorney, the Controller, a City Council member, a candidate for any of those elected City offices, or a City committee controlled by a person who holds or seeks any of those elected City offices:

(i) A person who bids on or submits a proposal or other response to a contract solicitation that has an anticipated

value of at least $100,000 and requires approval by the elected City office that is held or sought by the person to whom the contribution would be given;

(ii) Subcontractors that are expected to receive at least $100,000 as a result of performing a portion of the contract

obligations of a person defined in subparagraph (i); and

(iii) Principals of persons defined in subparagraphs (i) and (ii).

(C) The following persons shall not engage in prohibited fundraising for any elected City official, candidate for elected City office, or City committee controlled by an elected City official or candidate as further provided by ordinance:

(i) A person who bids on or submits a proposal or other response to a contract solicitation that has an anticipated

value of at least $100,000 and requires approval by the City Council;

(ii) Subcontractors that are expected to receive at least $100,000 as a result of performing a portion of the contract

obligations of a person defined in subparagraph (i); and

(iii) Principals of persons defined in subparagraphs (i) and (ii).

(D) The following persons shall not engage in prohibited fundraising for an elected City official, candidate for the elected City office, or City committee controlled by a person who holds or seeks the elected City office as further provided by ordinance:

(i) A person who bids on or submits a proposal or other response to a contract solicitation that has an anticipated

value of at least $100,000 and requires approval by the elected City office that is held or sought by the person for

whom the fundraising would be conducted;

(ii) Subcontractors that are expected to receive at least $100,000 as a result of performing a portion of the contract obligations of a person defined in subparagraph (i); and

(iii) Principals of persons defined in subparagraphs (i) and (ii).

(E) The prohibitions in paragraphs (A) and (B) shall apply from the time the bid or proposal is submitted until the contract is
signed, the bid or proposal is withdrawn by the bidder or proposer, or the City rejects all proposals for the contract, whichever
is earlier. The prohibitions shall continue for 12 months after the contract is signed for the successful bidder or proposer, its
principals, its subcontractors of at least $100,000, and the principals of those subcontractors.

(F) For purposes of this subdivision, a principal of a person who is a bidder, proposer, or subcontractor means the person's
board chair, president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, or the functional equivalent of those positions; any
individual who holds an ownership interest in the person of 20 percent or more; and any individual authorized by the bid or
proposal to represent the person before the City.

(G) This subdivision shall not apply to:

(i) Contributions to or fundraising on behalf of elected officials or candidates for elected City office where that
official's approval is required only by section 262, 271(d), or 370 of the Charter other than contracts required to be
approved by the City Council that have an anticipated value of at least $100,000 and proprietary department contracts
that have an anticipated value of at least $100,000;

(ii) Contributions to or fundraising on behalf of members of the City Council where the City Council's approval
authority is only through Charter section 245 except as further restricted by ordinance;

(iii) Any contract governed by Charter section 609(e);

(iv) A governmental entity; and

(v) A candidate for elected City office who is a bidder, proposer, subcontractor or subcontractor's principals with
regard to using personal funds or engaging in fundraising on the candidate's own behalf for the candidate's election for
City office.

(H) Every contract solicitation regarding a contract subject to this provision shall include notice of the prohibitions of this
subdivision. At the time of submitting a bid or proposal for a contract subject to this section, the bidder or proposer must
complete a form identifying the names of its principals, subcontractors of at least $100,000, the principals of those
subcontractors, and certify that the bidder or proposer will comply with and notify its principals and subcontractors of the
prohibitions in this subdivision; and provide any other information determined necessary.

(I) In addition to any other penalties that may apply, any person found to have violated this section is subject to contract
debarment as further provided by ordinance. If the determination is made to impose debarment, the minimum terms of
debarment shall be one year for the first violation, two years for the second violation, three years for the third violation, and
four years for the fourth violation.

(J) The City Council may adopt ordinances as necessary to carry out the purposes of this provision. Nothing contained in
this subdivision (c)(12) shall be construed or applied to limit the authority of the City Council by ordinance to adopt additional
regulations, including sanctions, for the conduct or activities that is the subject matter addressed herein.

(d) Cash Contributions. No person shall make, and no candidate or committee shall solicit or accept, any cash contribution in excess of twenty-five dollars ($25).

(e) Anonymous Contributions. Total anonymous contributions to a candidate or committee which exceed in the aggregate two hundred dollars ($200) with respect to a single election shall not be used by the candidate or committee for whom such contributions were intended, but instead, such excess shall be paid promptly to the City Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund of the City.

(f) Adjustment of Limits. The amounts specified in subsections (c) and (d) of this section may be modified from time to time by ordinance to reflect changes in the consumer price index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan statistical area.

(g) Campaign Contribution Checking Account. No more than one campaign contribution checking account shall be established by each candidate for elected City office, and by each committee supporting or opposing such candidate. The account shall be established at an office of a bank or savings and loan institution located in the City of Los Angeles. Upon opening such account, the candidate shall file with the City Ethics Commission within ten days of opening the campaign bank account, the name of the bank or savings and loan institution and the account number. Funds shall only be disbursed from such account by checks signed by the candidate, treasurer or designated agent of the treasurer. A candidate, treasurer or designated agent of the treasurer shall deposit into the campaign checking account all contributions received in connection with a City election. A candidate, treasurer or designated agent of the treasurer shall pay all campaign expenditures for a City election with monies from this campaign checking account.

If a candidate has other controlled committees and such committees have checking accounts, the candidate shall notify the City Ethics Commission in writing of these committees and the names and addresses of the banks or savings and loan institutions and the account numbers of any such accounts. A candidate shall notify the City Ethics Commission of these committees, the banks or savings and loan

institutions, and the account numbers concurrent with the filing of the Declaration of Intent to Solicit and Receive Contributions. If committees are thereafter formed or accounts thereafter opened, then the candidate shall notify the City Ethics Commission on the next regular business day on which the office is open. No contribution shall be commingled with the personal funds of the candidate or any other person.

This subsection shall not prohibit the establishment of savings accounts or certificates of deposit, provided that no campaign expenditures may be made therefrom.

(h) Treasurer. A candidate having campaign committees for elected City office shall appoint a treasurer of each committee. No

expenditure shall be made by or on behalf of a committee without the authorization of the treasurer or that of his or her designated agents. No contribution or expenditure shall be accepted or made by or on behalf of a committee at a time when there is a vacancy in the office of treasurer. It shall be the duty of the candidate and the treasurer to approve and authorize such payments and to retain such authorizations, detailed accounts, records, bills and receipts.

(i) Accountability. The candidate and the treasurer shall maintain such detailed accounts, records, bills and receipts as are necessary to

prepare campaign statements. The candidate and the treasurer shall retain the detailed accounts, records, bills and receipts for the periods specified in the Political Reform Act of 1974 as amended. Every candidate and committee shall make available on demand to any public officer having legal authority to enforce this section, details of checking and financial accounts of each committee controlled by the candidate and all records supporting such details.

(j) Petty Cash Fund. Subsection (g) notwithstanding, a candidate, campaign treasurer and other designated agents authorized to issue

checks on a campaign contribution checking account may disburse to the candidate or committee establishing the checking account an amount not greater than fifty dollars ($50) per week to be used for petty cash purposes by the candidate or committee.

(k) Assumed Name Contributions. No contribution shall be made, directly or indirectly, by any person or combination of persons, acting jointly in a name other than the name by which they are identified for legal purposes, nor in the name of another person or combination of persons. No person shall make a contribution in his, her or its name of anything belonging to another person or received from another person on the condition that it be used as a contribution. In the event it is discovered by a candidate or committee treasurer that a contribution has been received in violation of this subsection, the candidate or treasurer shall promptly pay the amount received in violation of this subsection to the City Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund of the City.

(l) Campaign Expenditures – Uncontrolled by Candidate or Committee. Persons or organizations not subject to the control of a

candidate or committee but who make independent expenditures for or against a candidate or committee shall comply with the applicable disclaimer requirements established by ordinance.

(m) Suppliers of Goods and Services – Disclosure of Records Required. No person who supplies goods or services or both goods and services to a candidate or committee for use in connection with the campaign for an elected City office shall knowingly refuse to divulge or disclose to the City Ethics Commission or to any public officer having legal authority to enforce this section, the details and the records supporting such details of any expenditures made by the candidate or committee in payment for such goods or services or both.

(n) Duties of City Ethics Commission. The City Ethics Commission shall administer the provisions of this section. In addition to other duties required under the terms of this section, the City Ethics Commission shall:

(1) Report apparent violations of this section and applicable state law to the City Attorney.

(2) Conduct audits and investigations of reports and statements filed by candidates and committees supporting or opposing
candidates for City offices as required under both the Political Reform Act of 1974 as amended and this section. The City Ethics
Commission shall employ investigators where necessary to fully investigate candidate spending and reporting.

(3) Enforce or cause to be enforced the provisions of this section pursuant to Section 90002(c) of the Government Code. The City
Ethics Commission may subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence
and require by subpoena the production of any books, papers, records or other items necessary to the audit and investigation of
candidates for election to City office.

(o) Enforcement.

(1) Criminal Enforcement – Any person who knowingly or willfully violates any provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who causes any other person to violate any provision of this section, or who aids and abets any other person in the violation of any provision of this section, shall be liable under the provisions of this section. Prosecution for violation of any provision of this section must be commenced within two years after the date on which the violation occurred.

(2) Civil Enforcement.

(A) Any person who intentionally or negligently violates any provision of this section shall be liable in a civil action brought by the City Attorney or by a person residing within the City. Where no specific civil penalty is provided, a person may

be liable for an amount up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each violation.

(B) Any person who intentionally or negligently makes or receives a contribution, or makes an expenditure, in violation of

any provision of this section shall be liable in a civil action brought by the City Attorney or by a person residing within the City for an amount up to three times the amount of the unlawful contribution or expenditure.

(C) If two or more persons are responsible for any violation, they shall be jointly and severally liable.

(D) Any person, before filing a civil action pursuant to this subsection, must first file with the City Attorney a written
request for the City Attorney to commence the action. The request shall contain a statement of the grounds for believing a
cause of action exists. The City Attorney shall respond within 40 days after receipt of the request, indicating whether the City
Attorney intends to file a civil action. If the City Attorney indicates in the affirmative, and files suit within 40 days thereafter,
no other action may be brought unless the action brought by the City Attorney is dismissed without prejudice.

(E) Not more than one judgment on the merits with respect to any violation may be obtained under this subsection. Actions
brought for the same violation or violations shall have precedence for purposes of trial in the order of the time filed. Such
actions shall be dismissed once judgment has been entered or a settlement approved by the court in a previously filed action.
The court may dismiss a pending action without prejudice to any other action for failure of the plaintiff to proceed diligently
and in good faith. The action may be so dismissed on motion by the City Attorney or any plaintiff in an action based on the
same violation.

(F) In determining the amount of liability under this subsection, the court may take into account the seriousness of the
violation and the degree of culpability of the defendant.

(i) No civil action alleging a violation of subsection (c) of this section, in connection with a contribution or expenditure shall be filed more than four years after an audit could begin as set forth in the Political Reform Act of 1974 as amended.

(ii) No civil action alleging a violation of any provisions of this section other than subsection (c) of this section shall

be filed more than four years after the date of the violation.

(p) Effect of Violation on Outcome of Election.

(1) If a candidate is convicted of a misdemeanor violation of any provision of this section, the court shall make a determination as to
whether the violation had a material effect on the outcome of the election. If the court finds such a material effect, then:

(A) if such conviction becomes final before the date of the election, the votes for such candidate shall not be counted, and
the election shall be determined on the basis of the votes cast for the other candidates in that race;

(B) if such conviction becomes final after the date of the election, and if such candidate was declared to have been elected,
then such candidate shall not assume office, the office shall be deemed vacant and shall be filled as otherwise provided in the
Charter;

(C) if such conviction becomes final after the candidate has assumed office, then the candidate shall be removed from
office, the office shall be deemed vacant and shall be filled as otherwise provided in the Charter; and

(D) the person so convicted shall be ineligible to hold any elected City office for a period of five years after the date of such
conviction.

(2) The City Clerk shall not issue any certificate of nomination or election to any candidate until his or her pre-election campaign
statements required by the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended, or if no campaign statement is required, the written declaration
permitted under Section 84205 of the Government Code, have been filed in the form and at the place required by the Political Reform
Act of 1974.

(q) Verification. All declarations, reports and statements filed under this section shall be signed and verified by the filer under penalty of perjury. The candidate and any person signing declarations, reports and statements under this provision shall read, know and understand the contents of all such declarations, reports and statements.

(r) Injunction. The City Attorney on behalf of the people of the City of Los Angeles or any person residing in the City of Los Angeles may sue for injunctive relief to enjoin violations or to compel compliance with the provisions of this section. The Court may award a plaintiff or defendant who prevails his or her costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees; provided, however, that no such award may be granted against the City of Los Angeles.

(s) Severability. If any provision or portion of this section is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this section.

Editor's note: Charter Amendment H, regarding Charter Section 470(c)(12), applies to contract solicitations issued or released on or after May 8, 2011. Charter Section 470(c) (12) applies to amendments when contract discussions with the awarding authority began on or after January 28, 2012.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Subsec. (c)(11) added and Subsec. (l) amended, Charter Amendment, approved November 7, 2006, effective December 13, 2006; Subsec. (c) (12) added and Subsecs. (a) and (c) amended, Charter Amendment H §§ 1 - 3, approved March 8, 2011, effective April 8, 2011; Subsecs. (c)(5) and (c)(10) repealed, Charter Amendment N §§ 1 and 2, approved March 8, 2011, effective April 8, 2011.

Sec. 471. Public Matching Funds and Campaign Expenditure Limitations.

(a) Findings and Purposes.

(1) Monetary contributions to political campaigns are a legitimate form of participation in the American political process, but the

financial strength of certain individuals or organizations should not permit them to exercise a disproportionate or controlling influence on the election of candidates.

(2) Therefore, this section is enacted to accomplish the following purposes:

(A) To assist serious candidates in raising enough money to communicate their views and positions adequately to the public without excessive expenditures or contributions, thereby promoting public discussion of the important issues involved in political campaigns.

(B) To limit overall expenditures in campaigns, thereby reducing the pressure on candidates to raise large campaign funds for defensive purposes, beyond the amount necessary to communicate reasonably with voters.

(C) To provide a source of campaign financing in the form of limited public matching funds.

(D) To substantially restrict fund-raising in non-election years.

(E) To increase the value to candidates of smaller contributions.

(F) To reduce the excessive fund-raising advantage of incumbents and thus encourage competition for elective office.

(G) To help restore public trust in governmental and electoral institutions.

(H) To avoid corruption or the appearance of corruption by providing an alternate source of funding for campaigns and reducing real or perceived ties between elected officials and special interests.

(b) Matching Funds and Expenditure Limitations Authorization. The City shall also adopt by ordinance limitations on campaign

expenditures by candidates for elected City office who qualify for and accept public matching funds. The City shall adopt by ordinance regulations concerning the use of public funds to partially finance campaigns for elected City office through a system of matching public funds for qualifying campaign contributions. Such ordinances may be amended to further the purposes of this section of the Charter.

(c) Appropriation of Funds.

(1) The City Council shall appropriate two million dollars ($2,000,000) per fiscal year for public matching funds. The Council
shall appropriate such funds for each following fiscal year. The amount of such appropriation shall be adjusted for cost of living
changes based on the percentage increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index (for all items other than housing) for the Los
Angeles-Riverside-Orange County metropolitan statistical area using 1991 as the base year. The City Council, by a two-thirds vote,
may reduce or eliminate the annual appropriation made during a fiscal year provided that: (a) the City Council has declared a fiscal
emergency by resolution that is in effect for that fiscal year; (b) the trust fund balance is no less than eight million dollars ($8,000,000)
in 1991 dollars adjusted to the Consumer Price Index at the time of the appropriation; and (c) the City Council has considered the City
Ethics Commission's analysis regarding projected costs and estimated public funding needs for the next four years.

(2) All such funds shall be appropriated into a trust fund established by the Council by ordinance with interest accruing to the fund.
In addition to the authority provided by Charter section 340, the City Council, by a two-thirds vote, may temporarily transfer funds
from the trust fund to meet obligations of the City in any fiscal year, provided that: (a) the City Council has declared a fiscal
emergency by resolution that is in effect for that fiscal year; (b) the City Council has considered the City Ethics Commission's analysis
regarding projected costs and estimated public funding needs for the next four years; and (c) the funds transferred are limited to funds
above a trust fund balance of eight million dollars ($8,000,000) in 1991 dollars adjusted to the Consumer Price Index. Any transferred
funds shall be reimbursed to the trust fund by either (a) the date the City Ethics Commission determines the funds are needed for their
intended purposes, or (b) before the end of the next fiscal year, whichever is earlier.

(3) If there are insufficient funds to provide the maximum matching funds available to a candidate in any election, as specified by
ordinance, the limitations on total contributions from persons other than individuals imposed by Section 470 shall not apply to any of
the candidates for the same office.

(4) The funds used to make payments for matching funds shall come exclusively from City sources of revenues.

SECTION HISTORY

Amended by: Subsecs. (a)(2) and (c), Charter Amendment H §§ 6 and 7, approved March 8, 2011, effective April 8, 2011.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION

Sec. 480. Commission Establishment and Purpose.

(a) There shall be in the City of Los Angeles an Independent Redistricting Commission (the “Commission”) that shall have the powers, duties, and responsibilities set forth in the City Charter and by ordinance.

(b) The purpose of the Commission is to strengthen the governance of the City of Los Angeles by developing Council district boundaries through a fair, transparent, inclusive, and independent redistricting process that empowers public participation and public access to its proceedings.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 481. Commission Organization, Powers, and Duties.

(a) The Commission shall consist of 16 members and four alternate members.

(b) A new Commission shall be established every ten years after each federal decennial census. The members of the Commission shall be selected no later than April 1 of each year ending in the number zero.

(c) The term of office of each member of the Commission shall begin on the date of that commissioner’s respective selection and shall expire upon the selection of the first member of the succeeding Commission.

(d) The Commission shall have the power and duty to:

(1) adopt the boundaries of the Council districts of the City of Los Angeles following each federal decennial census;

(2) comply with the redistricting criteria and process set forth in the Charter and by ordinance;

(3) act in an impartial manner that ensures the integrity and fairness of the redistricting process;

(4) educate and inform the public about redistricting, solicit and encourage public participation in the redistricting process, and hold public meetings and hearings that are accessible and provide the public the opportunity to participate and provide comment throughout the process;

(5) make recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, and City Ethics Commission regarding redistricting matters; and

(6) perform other redistricting functions as prescribed by ordinance.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 482. Commissioner Qualifications and Restrictions.

(a) Each Commission member shall be at least 18 years old and a resident of the City at the time of selection, and shall have resided in the City for at least five years immediately preceding the person’s submission of an application. A Commissioner is not required to be a registered voter or a citizen of the United States.

(b) A person shall not be eligible to apply to or serve on the Commission if the person has been an employee of the City or a member of a City Commission at any time in the two years immediately preceding the person’s submission of an application.

(c) A person shall not be eligible to apply to or serve on the Commission if the person or person’s spouse or family has engaged in the prior political and lobbying activities described in the California Elections Code provisions regarding eligibility requirements for independent redistricting commissions. Additional eligibility requirements may be provided by ordinance.

(d) Applicants to the Commission shall demonstrate collaborative skills, experience in civic engagement, and the ability to analyze complex data.

(e) While serving on the Commission, a member of the Commission shall not endorse, work for, volunteer for, or make a campaign contribution to, any elected City officer or candidate for elective City office, or serve on a redistricting commission for any other governmental body.

(f) A member or former member of the Commission shall not do any of the following:

(1) Be a candidate for elective City office unless more than five years have elapsed from the commissioner’s last date of service on the Commission or ten years have elapsed from the date of the commissioner’s selection to the Commission, whichever is less.

(2) Be a candidate for City Council for any district for which the election will be conducted using district boundaries that were adopted by the Commission on which the member served.

(g) For a period of four years after the last date of service on the Commission or ten years after the date of selection to the Commission, whichever is less, a member or former member of the Commission shall not do any of the following:

(1) Accept appointment to another City Commission.

(2) Accept employment as a paid staff member of, or receive compensation as a consultant to, an elected City officer or candidate for elective City office.

(3) Receive a non-competitively bid contract with the City.

(4) Act as a registered City lobbyist.

(5) Accept appointment to a City office.

(h) Alternate members of the Commission shall be subject to the same eligibility requirements, standards of conduct, and restrictions as other Commission members.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 483. Commissioner Selection and Removal.

(a) An application process to identify prospective commissioners shall commence no later than April 1 of each year ending in the number nine.

(b) The City Clerk shall manage the Commission application process, with the City Ethics Commission providing oversight. The City Clerk and City Ethics Commission may delegate these responsibilities to their staff or consultants.

(c) The City Clerk shall conduct an outreach and education program to ensure that there is publication and awareness of the Commission application process, with efforts to reach underserved communities and with efforts conducted in multiple languages as identified by ordinance. The City Clerk shall monitor and make public the demographic data of application submissions and enhance outreach as reasonably needed to ensure that the applicant pool has a sufficient number of qualified applicants and reasonably reflects the City’s diversity.

(d) An interested person meeting the eligibility requirements for service on the Commission may submit an application to the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall review the applications and establish an applicant pool consisting of those individuals who meet the objective eligibility requirements specified in subsections (a) through (c) of Section 482.

(e) The City Clerk shall post the names of individuals in the applicant pool for public review and establish a process by which the public may provide information regarding the eligibility of an individual in the applicant pool. The City Ethics Commission shall review the information provided by the public and determine whether any individual shall be removed from the applicant pool.

(f) Following the public review period, the City Ethics Commission shall evaluate the applications of the individuals in the applicant pool to identify individuals who satisfy the eligibility requirements specified in subsections (a) through (d) of Section 482 and who shall be included in the Commission Selection Pool. After the establishment of the Commission Selection Pool, the City Ethics Commission shall have the authority to receive information from the public and make determinations regarding the continuing eligibility of individuals in the Commission Selection Pool.

(g) The City Clerk and City Ethics Commission, with assistance from the City Data Bureau and through a process that allows for public input, shall designate eight geographic regions of the City with generally equal population. The City Clerk shall conduct a random drawing at a public meeting to select one person from each of the eight geographic regions. The result of this selection process shall be the selection of eight members of the Commission, one from each of the eight geographic regions.

(h) The eight selected commissioners shall review the applications of all remaining applicants in the Commission Selection Pool to select eight additional members of the Commission. These selections shall be made at a public meeting by a two-thirds vote of the eight initial commissioners based on the applicant’s relevant experiences and backgrounds, familiarity with the City’s neighborhoods, ability to be impartial, and to ensure that the Commission reflects the City’s diversity, including racial, ethnic, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, income, professional, and geographic diversity. However, formulas or ratios shall not be applied for this purpose.

(i) After the 16 commissioners have been selected, the Commission shall select four persons from the remaining applicants in the

Commission Selection Pool to serve as alternate commissioners. The selection of alternate commissioners shall be made in a manner that ensures geographic diversity among the alternate commissioners.

(j) The Commission may remove a commissioner for substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, inability to discharge the duties of office, failure to comply with the commissioner eligibility requirements and restrictions described in Section 482, unexcused absences, or failure to abide by transparency requirements. Removal under this provision requires a two-thirds vote of the Commission after providing the member notice of a public hearing and an opportunity to respond in writing and at the public hearing. The removed member may appeal the Commission's decision to the City Ethics Commission.

(k) The Commission may immediately remove a commissioner who has been charged with a felony offense, or who has been charged with a criminal misdemeanor related to a violation of official duties as described in Section 207(c). Removal under this provision requires a two- thirds vote of the Commission. The removed member may appeal the Commission’s decision to the City Ethics Commission.

(l) The position of a member of the Commission shall become vacant if the member pleads guilty to or no contest to or is convicted of a felony.

(m) If a vacancy occurs on the Commission, the Chair of the Commission shall conduct a random drawing at a public meeting to select one of the alternate commissioners to serve as a commissioner.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 484. Redistricting Criteria.

(a) The Commission shall adopt Council district boundaries that comply with the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. Each district shall have a reasonably equal population with other districts, except where deviation is required to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act or as allowable by law.

(b) In addition to following the requirements of subsection (a), the Commission shall adopt Council district boundaries using the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:

(1) To the maximum extent practicable, districts shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining
corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge, tunnel, or regular ferry service are not
contiguous.

(2) To the maximum extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criterion in this subsection, the
geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its
division. A “community of interest” is a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a
single election district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Characteristics of communities of interest may include, but
are not limited to, shared public policy concerns such as education, public safety, public health, environment, housing, transportation,
and access to social services. Characteristics of communities of interest may also include, but are not limited to, cultural districts,
shared socioeconomic characteristics, similar voter registration rates and participation rates, and shared histories. Communities of
interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates.

(3) To the maximum extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subsection, districts shall
be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the City. District boundaries should be easily
identifiable and understandable by residents.

(4) To the maximum extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subsection, districts shall
be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant
populations.

(c) The Commission shall not adopt district boundaries for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against an incumbent, political candidate, or political party, and the place of residence of an incumbent or candidate shall not be considered in the development of district boundaries.

(d) Other additional criteria should be considered by the Commission when adopting district boundaries, including consideration of the community and cultural association with economic and cultural landmarks and resources. All decisions concerning additional criteria shall be considered and approved in public meetings. The Commission’s consideration of additional criteria should be considered in compliance with and subordinate to the applicable requirements of subsections (a) through (c).

(e) After the Commission has adopted district boundaries, the Commission shall number each Council district such that, for as many residents as possible, the number of the Council district they reside in remains the same.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 485. Public Meetings, Outreach, and Accessibility.

(a) The Commission shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act and other applicable open meeting laws.

(b) The Commission shall take steps to encourage residents to participate in the redistricting process, including those in underrepresented communities and non-English speaking communities.

(c) The Commission shall hold public hearings and workshops in a manner that ensures that the public has the opportunity to participate and comment in each phase of the redistricting process.

(d) The Commission shall provide live translation of Commission meetings in English and Spanish and as further provided by ordinance. The Commission shall provide materials in the languages required by federal and state law and as provided by ordinance.

(e) The Commission shall develop and implement an Accessibility Plan to ensure that people with disabilities and seniors are able to access and fully participate in Commission meetings and hearings. The Commission shall develop this plan prior to the initiation of public hearings.

(f) For purposes of providing testimony, elected City officers shall be subject to the same public comment procedures as members of the public.

(g) Ex Parte Communications.

(1) A member of the Commission shall not communicate with any individual or organization regarding redistricting matters outside

of a public meeting. This provision does not prohibit communications with another commissioner, Commission staff, legal counsel, or consultants retained by the Commission. This provision does not prohibit communications with City staff to the extent those communications are related to administrative matters or educational presentations made to the public.

(2) The Executive Director of the Commission, any mapping staff member or mapping consultant of the Commission, and other

Commission staff as designated by the Commission shall not communicate with any elected City officer, candidate for elective City office, or staff of any such officer or candidate, either directly or through an agent, regarding redistricting matters outside of a public meeting. This provision does not prohibit communications with City staff to the extent those communications are related to administrative matters or educational presentations made to the public.

(3) A member or employee of the City Ethics Commission, City Clerk, or other City department involved in the process for

selecting members of the Commission shall not communicate with any elected City officer, candidate for elective City office, or staff of any such officer or candidate, either directly or through an agent, regarding any matter related to the selection process outside of a public meeting before that process has been completed. This provision does not prohibit communications to the extent those communications are related to administrative matters, legal advice, or educational presentations made to the public.

(4) The Commission may adopt other rules regarding communications provided the rules comply with the Brown Act, do not

conflict with the provisions in this subsection, and are adopted in a public meeting of the Commission.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 486. Commission Conduct of Business, Administration, and Personnel.

(a) Each member and alternate member of the Commission shall be a designated employee in the conflict of interest code for the Commission adopted pursuant to the California Political Reform Act, and shall file with the City Ethics Commission a statement of economic interests and other financial disclosure statements as required by law.

(b) The affirmative votes of a majority of the Commission shall be required for any official action, except the following actions which shall require the approval of two-thirds of the Commission:

(1) a vote for the final redistricting plan;

(2) a vote to remove a commissioner;

(3) a vote for the selection of the eight commissioners described in Section 483(h);

(4) a vote to hire the Executive Director, mapping consultant or mapping staff member, and any other position designated as key staff by the Commission; and

(5) a vote to authorize the delegation of hiring or contracting authority, to the extent such authority is delegable under state and City law.

(c) The alternate members of the Commission may fully participate in Commission deliberations but may not vote and may not be counted

towards the establishment of a quorum.

(d) The Commission shall select one commissioner to serve as the Chair of the Commission. The Commission may designate other officers from its membership.

(e) Consideration of principles for the development of district boundaries for draft and final redistricting plans shall be conducted in a public meeting and approved by a vote of the Commission.

(f) The Commission shall post proposed map principles and any proposed final map on the Commission’s website for a minimum of seven days before consideration at a Commission hearing or meeting.

(g) The Commission shall hire an Executive Director and redistricting, technology, and outreach staff, whose positions shall be exempt from the civil service provisions of the Charter.

(h) The Commission shall have the authority to hire consultants through a competitive process consistent with the contracting provisions of the Charter and as provided by ordinance.

(i) The City Clerk shall provide support to the Commission in accessing City resources, coordinating with City departments and personnel, and other administrative matters as needed.

(j) The Commission may utilize the City Attorney as legal counsel or may request the City Attorney to retain legal counsel for the

Commission.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 487. Adoption of Final Redistricting Plan.

(a) The Commission shall adopt its final redistricting plan establishing new Council district boundaries no later than September 30 of each year ending in the number one.

(b) If the Commission does not adopt a final redistricting plan by the deadline in subsection (a), the City Attorney shall immediately petition the Superior Court for an order prescribing new Council district boundaries in accordance with the redistricting criteria described in Section 484, and those boundaries shall apply to City elections until the Commission is able to adopt a final redistricting plan.

(c) The Commission shall issue, with the final plan, a report that explains the basis on which the Commission made its decisions in achieving compliance with the redistricting criteria described in Section 484.

(d) Upon adoption of a final redistricting plan, the Commission shall submit the plan, final report, and any other accompanying materials to the City Clerk and publish this material on the Commission’s redistricting website.

(e) The City Clerk shall post the Commission’s final redistricting plan and report on the City’s website. The City Clerk shall publish the final plan and description of the new Council district boundaries in the same manner as an ordinance of the City.

(f) The final redistricting plan establishing new Council districts shall become effective 31 days from its publication as provided for ordinances in the Charter.

(g) The final redistricting plan shall be subject to referendum in the same manner as a City ordinance.

(h) No change in the boundary or location of any district by redistricting shall operate to abolish or terminate the term of office of any member of the Council prior to the expiration of the term of office for which the member was elected.

(i) District boundaries adopted by the Commission shall not be altered until after the next federal decennial census occurs except to settle a legal claim or in response to an order of a court.

(j) Any territory annexed to or consolidated with the City shall be added to an adjacent district or districts by the Commission. The addition shall be effective upon the completion of the annexation or consolidation proceedings.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 488. Commission Funding.

(a) The City Council and Mayor shall provide sufficient funds to meet the needs for the formation and operation of the Commission,

including to compensate Commission staff, consultants and legal counsel, conduct outreach to solicit broad public participation in the redistricting process, and, if necessary, defend the actions of the Commission in any legal proceeding.

(b) The City Council and Mayor shall provide funds to all City departments involved with the formation of the Commission, providing support to the Commission, and maintaining the records of the Commission.

(c) Commissioners shall be compensated as provided by ordinance.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 489. Commission Recommendations.

(a) The Commission may recommend changes to the independent redistricting process described in the City Charter and Administrative Code by submitting a report to the City Ethics Commission with findings, analysis, and data that support the Commission’s recommendations.

(b) The City Ethics Commission shall review the Commission’s recommendations and may transmit a report to the City Council containing recommendations for amendments to the City Charter and Administrative Code regarding redistricting. To the extent the recommendations include amendments to the Administrative Code, the Ethics Commission shall also prepare and transmit, with the assistance of the City Attorney, any proposed ordinance that would be required to effectuate the recommended amendments.

(c) Administrative Code Amendments. Within 60 days of submission of an Ethics Commission report and accompanying proposed

ordinance recommending amendments to the Administrative Code regarding redistricting, the City Council shall hold a public hearing concerning the matter and act to approve, without change, or disapprove the proposed ordinance. If the Council fails to disapprove within the 60-day period, the proposed ordinance shall be presented to the Mayor for approval or veto, and to the Council for override of the Mayor’s veto. If approved by the Mayor, or the Mayor fails to act, or approved by the Council on override of the Mayor’s veto, the proposed ordinance shall be deemed approved.

(d) Charter Amendments. An Ethics Commission report recommending an amendment to the City Charter regarding redistricting shall be considered by the City Council in time to allow for submittal of the charter amendment to the voters at the next available election. An amendment to the City Charter requires the approval of the voters of the City.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.

Sec. 490. City Data Bureau.

There shall be established in the City a Data Bureau to prepare and manage demographic and geographic data for the Commission and other City departments as further provided by ordinance. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Data Bureau from being placed within a City department or office.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Charter Amendment DD, approved November 5, 2024, effective January 8, 2025.