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Recommendation to receive and file a report on the plan for a potential 2019 Special Municipal Election.
DISCUSSION
On January 15, 2019, Governor Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a special election for the 33rd Senate District of the State of California. The jurisdiction for Senate District 33 covers the City of Long Beach. The special primary election will be held on March 26, 2019, and the general will be held on June 4, 2019.
Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez announced her bid to run for the vacated State Senate seat on December 14, 2018. Should Councilwoman Gonzalez win the 33rd Senate District seat, the Long Beach City Council would have a vacancy in Council District 1. Such vacancy would trigger a special election in 2019.
Below are two possible scenarios for the conduct of a Special Municipal Election to fill a vacancy in Council District 1.
Scenario #1:
Should Council District 1 become vacant after the primary on March 26, 2019, City Charter Section 204 would require the Council to declare a vacancy and hold a special election within 120 days. The Special Municipal Election could be coordinated by the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or the Long Beach Office of the City Clerk.
Scenario #2:
Should Council District 1 become vacant after the June 4, 2019 runoff election, a special election would tentatively fall on November 5, 2019.
The Office of the City Clerk or the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk could coordinate the election should a vacancy occur in Council District 1.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Webber on February 25, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of a Special Election in FY 2019 is not included in the budget for the Office of the City Clerk. A budget adjustment would need to be requested during the third quarter of the fiscal year for expenses relating to a special election. We are gathering data to prepare a cost estimate for a special election and will provide this informatio...
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