Pasadena Municipal Code Art. XII Elections

The City Council shall, by ordinance, establish seven districts which shall be used for all elections of Councilmembers. Said districts shall be as nearly equal in population as practicable and such redistricting shall be in compliance with applicable laws.

(Sec. 1201 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993: Sec. 1201 amended by vote of the people 6-8-1976, effective August 1, 1976.)

Beginning in the year 2020, a City primary election shall be held in each even year, coinciding with the statewide primary election, in those districts of the City wherein the terms of office of Councilmembers expire in that year or on a citywide basis when the term of office of the Mayor expires in such year, for the purpose of nominating candidates to be voted on at the general municipal election and for such other purposes as the City Council may prescribe.

(Sec. 1202 amended by vote of the people 6-5-2018: Sec. 1202 amended by vote of the people 11-3-1998: Sec. 1202 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993.)

Any voter residing in a district who desires to become a candidate for the office of member of the City Council from that district to be filled at such general election, or any qualified resident of the City who desires to become a candidate for Mayor when that office is to be filled at such general election, shall file with the City Clerk, in the period prescribed by the California Elections Code prior to the primary election, nominating papers signed by not less than 25 qualified voters of such district, or, for the office of Mayor, a petition signed by not less than 50 qualified voters of the City, and accompanied by a filing fee of $25.00.

(Sec. 1203 amended by vote of the people 11-3-1998: Sec. 1203 amended by vote of the people 3-7-1995: Sec. 1203 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993.)

The two persons receiving the highest number of votes at the primary election for the candidates for office of Mayor or Councilmember from a district shall be the candidates for election and only their names shall be printed upon the ballot to be used in the general municipal election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person who, at the primary election, shall receive a majority of the total vote cast for candidates for said office shall be elected to such office.

(Sec. 1204 amended by vote of the people 3-5-2024; Sec. 1204 amended by vote of the people 11-3-1998: Sec. 1204 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993; amended by vote of the people 11-4-1980, effective January 1, 1981; Sec. 1204 amended by vote of the people 6-6-72.)

A. Except as provided in subsection B, beginning in the year 2018, a general municipal election shall be held in each even year, coinciding with the statewide general election, for the purpose of electing the Mayor and Councilmembers under the provisions of this Charter, and for such other purposes as the City Council may prescribe.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter, in order to transition to new election dates starting in 2018, and in accordance with Section 401(B), no election of the Mayor or Councilmembers shall occur at the general municipal election held in November 2018.

(Sec. 1205 amended by vote of the people 6-5-2018: Sec. 1205 amended by vote of the people 11-3-1998: Sec. 1205 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993.)

Any other municipal election that may be held by authority of this Charter, the Constitution of the State of California, or any law under which the City may act shall be known as a special municipal election. A special election may be called by the City Council by ordinance or resolution.

(Sec. 1206 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993.)

The City Council shall meet to approve the canvass submitted by the City Clerk on the fifth Monday after the election, unless otherwise provided for in the ordinance or resolution calling the election.

(Sec. 1207 amended by vote of the people 6-5-2018: Sec. 1207 amended by vote of the people 3-7-1995: Sec. 1207 amended by vote of the people 3-9-1993.)

Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, all municipal elections shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code of the State of California, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, governing municipal elections. The conduct of all City elections shall be under the control of the City Council, and the City Council shall, by ordinance or resolution, provide for the holding of each City election.

(Sec. 1208 amended by vote of the people 3-9-93.)