To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BALLOT TEXT AND QUESTION FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE VOTERS FOR THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER 3, 2026 LOS ANGELES COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XXVII OF THE CITY CHARTER FOR PROPOSED MAJOR CHANGES IN ALLOWABLE LAND USE, DETERMINE WHO SUBMITS ARGUMENT FOR, AND BALLOT LETTER DESIGNATIONS, AND ELECTION OR MEASURE RELATED ITEMS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is seeking direction on the ballot measure text and ballot question for the November 3, 2026 Special Municipal Election. For the purpose of submitting a measure to the qualified registered voters of the City of Redondo Beach, the City Clerk/Elections Official will prepare resolutions on August 4, 2026, calling the Special Municipal election, requesting permission for consolidation with Los Angeles County, setting written arguments for and against, directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis, and approve ballot letter designations.
BACKGROUND
On July 7, 2026, the Mayor and City Council discussed placing a ballot measure on the November 3, 2026, general election regarding the General Plan Update. A motion was made to form a Council Subcommittee to assist with the ballot measure and necessary info as well as to bring back a discussion to the City Council meeting on July 21. Mayor Pro Tem Behrendt and Council Member Obagi, Jr. were selected to serve on the Subcommittee.
To place a measure on the Los Angeles County Ballot, the City Clerk’s Office needs to file three adopted Resolutions with the Board of Supervisors and the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to call and give notice that the election will be held, to consolidate the City of Redondo Beach’s Special Election with the County General Election and to set priorities for the filing of written arguments for and against the measure. To get a measure on the November 3, 2026 general election, these Resolutions must be filed by August 7, 2026. The City Clerk’s Office will present these resolutions for approval at the August 4, 2026, City Council meeting.
In preparation for the Resolutions, the City Council and Mayor should agree on the ballot measure text, ballot question, and who will draft arguments in favor of the Measure. Wording for the Measure consists of a 75-word ballot question that appears on the Official Ballot and in the Voter Information Guide. Councilmember Obagi proposed the following letter designations: 1st choice: ART, 2nd choice: AR, and 3rd choice: AAC. The draft Resolution authorizing the submission of the question to the November 3, 2026, election and the draft exhibit containing the text amendments that would be voted on, are being provided as attachments.
The attached drafts were prepared by staff and will be reviewed by the Subcommittee. Revised documents may be included as Blue Folder items as part of the final Agenda Packet for the July 21 City Council meeting. Input provided by the Council at that meeting, and any additional Subcommittee recommendations will be memorialized in documents presented for Council consideration of approval at the August 4 City Council meeting.
COORDINATION
This information has been coordinated with offices of the City Attorney, Community Development, and City Clerk.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $250,000 required to hold the November 3, 2026 Special Municipal Election is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 Budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Article XXVII Ballot Measure Text
• Draft Resolution Ballot Measure Question
• Word Count Guideline 2128958414