Carson Council orders citizen-initiated fireworks measure onto June 2, 2026 ballot; staff estimates ~$372,400 cost

The Carson City Council on Nov. 5 voted to place a citizen-initiated ordinance restricting fireworks on the June 2, 2026 consolidated election, after the city clerk certified the petition as sufficient.

Cleo Bradshaw, the city clerk, reported the petition submission: 9,495 signatures were submitted, the county validated approximately 7,200 of those, and the threshold required under state law (10% of registered voters) was 6,405 at the time the clerk checked. The city attorneys office and staff explained that state election law requires the city to offer the first available general election; staff identified June 2, 2026 as the next eligible consolidated general election date.

Jessica Santiago of the city attorneys office explained the procedural options available to council under Elections Code and presented three draft resolutions: (1) to call the election and place the initiative question on the June 2, 2026 ballot; (2) to set the procedures for filing arguments and direct the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis; and (3) to allow rebuttal arguments. After discussion about timing and cost, the council adopted the option to submit the measure to the June election and approved the three related resolutions.

City staff provided an estimated consolidated-election cost to the county of $372,438.79 for placing a single measure on the June ballot; staff cautioned the estimate is subject to final county invoicing and that, even if the measure passes in June, county certification timelines (about 30 days) mean the new rule would not be in effect in time to alter July 4, 2026 enforcement or sales rules.

Councilmembers who spoke publicly emphasized they were following the petitioners request to let voters decide. No recorded roll-call tally was read in the Nov. 5 minutes; the council announced the motion as carried.