A new report by Los Angeles Municipal Elections Reform Commission of Los Angeles recommended the City Council move municipal elections to June and November of even-numbered years to coincide with existing statewide general elections.
Local elections are currently held in March and May of odd-numbered years, and turnout has been abysmal. Last year’s mayoral runoff between Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel saw the lowest voter turnout in 100 years – an pathetic13 percent. Turnout for the March 2013 City of Los Angeles Primary Election was 20.8 percent of all registered voters.
If a change is made, it could effect current members of the city council and LAUSD board. "The resulting one and a half year gap between the June end date and December begin date can be addressed by either a charter change to adjust the dates of term and allow a temporary, one-time five and a half year term, or a special election, to fill the time frame," according to the report.
The City Council’s Rules and Elections Committee is scheduled to discuss the report on Friday.
It’s not just LA. More than a quarter of California cities hold their municipal elections in off-cycles or off-years.