Sweeping changes to California’s election dates could extend Pasadena’s mayor and half the City Council’s terms by more than a year.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra determined earlier this month that charter cities, like Pasadena, must comply with the California Voter Participation Rights Act, a law signed in 2015 that will force cities to hold their elections in even years, when state or federal officers are also on the ballot.
The law specifically forbids cities from holding their own elections when the average turnout is 25 percent less than statewide races.
“This is an issue that is going to consume us into the future,” said Mayor Terry Tornek as the City Council weighed their options Monday.
Becerra’s opinion means Pasadena may also have to shift its election dates.