League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division Applauds Governor’s Signature of SB 25 (Portantino) to Revise Elections Ballot Order

September 30, 2018                                                                                 

Contact: Jennifer Quan- 626-786-5142

Bill Allows Los Angeles County Voters to Decide on Local Elections First on Statewide Ballots

PASADENA, CA -- The Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities applauds Governor Jerry Brown’s signature on SB 25, legislation authored by Senator Anthony Portantino and Co-Authored by Senator Henry Stern. The bill requires Los Angeles County election officials to conduct an elections pilot program using a revised ballot order so that local offices and measures appear first.

SB 25 corrects the unintended consequences of state-mandated consolidated elections, which force local elections to the end of what can be a very long statewide ballot, once national offices, statewide offices and statewide initiatives are listed. SB 25 is a practical move to engage voters in local elections and ensure local decisions are not lost on statewide and national elections. 

State Senator Anthony Portantino said, “As a former mayor it just seemed to make sense to me that when cities were forced to consolidate elections with the county, we should place those local elections first on the ballot. I was very pleased that my friend, City of Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian, brought this idea to my attention.  Ardy has significant experience with elections and his idea quickly garnered the support of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities.  We are all grateful that Governor Brown saw its merit.”

“The Division greatly appreciates Senator Portantino’s work on SB 25 and is grateful for this ballot revision in Los Angeles County. Local elections, including city council seats and local revenue measures, are the closest form of democracy to voters. It is our hope that this pilot program will prove successful and will soon be adopted statewide,” said Jennifer Quan, Los Angeles County Division Executive Director. 

The Los Angeles County Division is the largest of 16 regional divisions of the League of California Cities and is comprised of 86 cities in Los Angeles County, from the smallest in population (City of Vernon) to the largest (City of Los Angeles) of the state's 482 cities. The League's Los Angeles County Division is guided by an executive committee under the leadership of a division president. Elected city officials and professional city staff attend division meetings throughout the year to share what they are doing and advocate for their interests in Sacramento and regionally. The Division strives to provide its members with information and resources to assist in providing high-quality service to cities and residents.

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