Charter Task Force Struggling Over Reforming Timing of Mayoral Election

The Chair of the Charter Study Task Force tasked to make recommendations to the City Council for City Charter reform said on Monday night the group is struggling regarding a solution to the timing of the mayoral elections.

Currently, the mayor is elected on the same cycle as Councilmembers from District 1, 2, 4, and 6. In order to challenge the Mayor for the gavel in an election, those Councilmembers would have to resign their seats.

However, Councilmembers living in Districts 3, 5, and 7 are not elected during the same cycle and could run against the Mayor without being forced to resign their seats.

Not coincidentally, the last two elected Mayors, current Mayor Victor Gordo and Terry Tornek, came from Districts 5 and 7, respectively, and did not have to resign from their seats until after they won the election.

“This one for me is the most vexing and you know the problem,” Ken Chawkins said to the City Council. “The problem is some of you are on a cycle with the Mayor and some of you are not. The notion of giving somebody who is not on the cycle with the Mayor a free ride without giving up your seat that’s a tough one.”

The Task Force has considered two solutions, a six-year term that would allow the Mayor to run at the same time as Councilmembers in 1,2,4,6 and when the gavel comes up for re-election it would coincide with elections for seats in 3,5, and 7 bringing parity to the City Council and mayoral elections.

The other solution would be moving the mayoral elections to its own cycle where all Councilmembers would be able to run without giving up seats.

However, that would necessitate a special election that could cost at least $5 million to open vote centers, mail ballots to voters across the elections, and staff the election.

Chawkins said on Monday night he had not really heard more alternatives.

“We’re struggling with that, I don’t mind telling you that,” Chawkins said.

Councilmembers did provide some thoughts on that matter but did not even the waters.

Jason Lyon asked what problem the study group was trying to solve with the timing of the mayoral elections.

“I don’t think we make public policy to suit the career ambitions of politicians,” Lyon said.

Lyon said he would want to hear the public policy reasoning behind why it’s good for the City versus why it’s good for politicians.”

However, Vice Mayor Steve Madison later pointed out that the current policy already serves some

“I think the current setup serves the political ambition of the minority of Councilmembers,” Madison said. “The idea that three out of eight have a free ride and the other five don’t. And that’s what it’s called a free ride is when you can run for office without having to give up your current office.”

Madison said that two out of the three elected Mayors have had free rides, which prompted Mayor Gordo to respond that it wasn’t free, prompting a laugh from the City Council.

The group has also discussed term limits, the appointment process in case the Mayor or Councilmember cannot complete a term.

Upcoming topics include City Council compensation and campaign finance limits.

“Changing a City Charter is akin to changing the Constitution,” Chawkins told Pasadena Now on Tuesday. “The City Charter deals with foundational governance issues; requiring serious consideration and a long-term view. The Task Force members have a responsibility to weigh these issues with an eye toward the impact proposed changes would have over time. While we have been charged with finding solutions to certain challenges, we must also be wise enough to NOT make changes where none are needed.”

The group is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss the location of future meetings and City Council compensation, broadly, as well as dedicated childcare and eldercare allowances for members of the City Council.