Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Court Nixes Challenge to Political Reform Measure

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A California appeals court denied a group of electors' bid to overturn a political reform measure that voters passed in 2006.

A group led by David Hernandez objected to ballot Measure R, which increased a city council member's term of office from two four-year terms to three four-year terms; prohibited lobbyists from serving as city commissioners or contributing money to officials and candidates; and revised the city's ethics laws.

The voters approved the measure by a 60-40 margin.

The trial court ruled in favor of the county that since the issue was a ballot measure, not an initiative, it was not restricted to one subject.

Justice Flier agreed that there is a difference between a voter-sponsored initiative and a council-sponsored ballot measure. The requirements to put an initiative on the ballot are stricter.

Flier wrote that the California Constitution does not "contain any single subject requirement on charter amendments sponsored by such governing bodies."

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...