Measure I

City of Sunnyvale Appointed Incumbent to Serve Until Successor is Elected City Charter Amendment

Measure I would amend the City Charter to require that a person appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council serve until a successor is elected at the next General Municipal Election (November of even-numbered years), rather than until an earlier election date that could be consolidated with a statewide election.

This measure requires approval by a majority of voters voting on the measure to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Measure I may lead to future cost savings from avoided special elections.

See Endorsements for Measure I

Pro:

Supporters say that when the City Council fills a vacancy by appointment, the Charter can require Sunnyvale to hold two elections for the same seat in the same year, one consolidated with a March or June primary, then another in November for the full term. Taxpayers pay for both. Candidates run two campaigns. The winner of the first election can serve as little as five months.

They argue that this measure makes a common-sense fix: a councilmember appointed to fill a vacancy serves until the next regularly scheduled November Sunnyvale election in even numbered years, when the most voters can choose a successor.

A YES vote on this measure means: you support amending the Charter so that a council vacancy filled by appointment goes to voters at the next November election in an even-numbered year, and makes a clarifying change to the wording of Section 606(с).

Con:

Opponents say that if passed, this will cut the eligible elections to fill vacancies by at least half. This is done by eliminating the existing requirement to use an earlier election consolidated with a statewide election, a primary election for example. Longer appointments and appointee incumbency advantage allows council to handpick successors.

They argue that while you may like the current city council, that may change in 15-20 years. Do you want that council making extended appointments? Primary election voters are well engaged and informed. Larger turnout in even-year November elections does not justify sacrificing earlier opportunities to vote. Money spent on elections can be a very good investment.

A NO vote on this measure means: you want to maintain the existing Charter requirement that a council vacancy filled by appointment go to the voters at the next Special Municipal Election consolidated with the next statewide election or the next General Municipal Election, whichever is sooner, and makes no changes to the wording.

Background

When a seat on the City Council becomes vacant, Charter Section 606 gives the Council two options: either call a special election to fill the vacancy, or fill the vacancy by appointment. This decision must be made by four affirmative votes. If the Council chooses to appoint, the existing Charter provides that the appointee serves until the next General Municipal Election or the next Special Municipal Election consolidated with a statewide election, whichever is sooner.

Proposal

If approved, this measure would specify that when the City Council appoints a person to fill a vacant seat on the Council, an election to fill the seat will be held at the next General Municipal Election. It would remove the requirement to hold a Special Municipal Election on the soonest available date when a seat is filled by appointment.

The Council could still choose not to appoint anyone and call a special election instead. This measure would not change the existing Charter provision that prohibits having more than two appointees on the Council at the same time.

Source: Measure I Impartial Analysis

Santa Clara County Election Resources

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Background

Proposal

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