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Cerritos city attorney: California oath governs city officials; federal wording differs
Summary
A resident asked the council to restore the phrase “so help me God” to the city’s oath of office; the city attorney replied that California Constitution Article XX, section 3 prescribes the oath for state and local officials and does not include that phrase, which applies to federal officers under federal law.
A retired Cerritos planning commissioner urged the City Council on Sept. 25 to restore the phrase “so help me God” to the city’s oath of office so local oaths would match the federal wording. Benjamin Au read portions of federal law and the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, saying omission of the phrase renders the pledge an affirmation rather than an oath.
City Attorney Pam…
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