City Clerk Files Lawsuit Over Pasadena Library Bond Measure

City Clerk Mark Jomsky has filed a lawsuit to ensure that voters receive clear information regarding the library bond measure that will appear on the November ballot.

And the parties involved may have already reached a settlement.

According to a statement released by the City on Wednesday, last Friday, August 23, Jomsky filed a lawsuit to ask a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge to clarify information in the argument against Measure PL, which is on the ballot for Pasadena’s November 2024 election.

Under state law, the City Clerk, as the City’s elections official, can file legal action when ballot language is false or inaccurate, to ensure that voters receive correct information to make an informed decision.

Wednesday’s statement did not include the names of the respondents to the lawsuit. However, according to court documents obtained by Pasadena Now, local activist Sonja Berndt is listed as a respondent. Local activist Ed Washatka also signed the argument against Measure PL.

Measure PL was placed on the ballot by the Pasadena City Council last month.

The measure, if approved, would allow the City of Pasadena to issue bonds up to $195 million to retrofit the 97-year-old Pasadena Central Library, which has been closed for three years due to earthquake risks.

“The City Clerk’s legal action filed last Friday sought to ensure voters receive accurate information in the argument against Measure PL and to revise the argument to comply with legal requirements,” according to the statement.

According to the statement, a tentative settlement was reached with the authors of the argument, and a few revisions will be made.

Those revisions still need to be presented to a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge for approval in the coming days, as the City Clerk cannot unilaterally make the changes to the argument.

“I am pleased we could resolve this matter swiftly and cordially. Residents who support and oppose ballot measures deserve to express themselves to voters,” said Jomsky in a prepared statement. “With the revisions that we have agreed upon, I am confident that, with court approval, Pasadena voters will receive accurate information in the ballot argument as they consider their votes on Measure PL.”