SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Calif. Senate Bill 311, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) was signed into law this week by Governor Jerry Brown. SB 311 requires that proposals to create, change, repeal or amend a city or county charter be submitted to the voters at a statewide general election. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2014.
“I applaud Governor Brown for signing SB 311. The adoption, amendment or repeal of a city or county charter can have a profound impact on local governance and local residents. Placing these critical questions on the ballot when the greatest number of voters are likely to participate is the best way to ensure that changes to a charter reflect the will of the people,” said Senator Alex Padilla.
Over the past decade statewide general elections have averaged 55% greater voter turnout than primary elections. In Los Angeles County turnout is nearly 100% greater during statewide general elections.
SB 311 provides some flexibility for charter cities and counties including allowing for a vote on a charter measure during a regularly scheduled municipal election or statewide primary if the measure has been qualified by a petition of the voters.
Senator Alex Padilla, 40, graduated from MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He currently serves on the Board of MIT and is President of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. He is Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and represents the more than 1,100,000 residents of the 20th State Senate District in Los Angeles.
For more information about Senator Padilla visit his website http://sd20.senate.ca.gov/ .
