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Committee forwards charter amendment to let voters decide how vacancies are filled
Summary
Supervisor Avalos' charter amendment to require special elections to fill mayoral and supervisor vacancies was advanced to the full Board with no recommendation after staff analysis and public comment supporting voter decision-making and concerns about turnout and practicalities.
The Rules Committee voted June 23 to move a charter amendment—called the "Let's Elect Our Elected Officials Act"—to the full Board of Supervisors with no recommendation, setting the stage for a potential public vote.
Supervisor John Avalos said the amendment would strengthen separation of powers by letting voters, rather than cross-branch appointments, fill vacancies in the mayor's office and on the Board of Supervisors. Avalon cited comparative research showing many jurisdictions use special elections when a substantial portion of a term remains.
Jason Fried, LAFCO staff, summarized a multijurisdictional review showing a range of approaches: appointments in some places, special elections in others, and mixed models that call for a special election when more than about a year remains in the term. The study also found interim arrangements are common so offices are not left vacant.
Public speakers and civic groups including the Sierra Club, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, the League of Pissed Off Voters and Friends of Ethics urged sending the question to voters to restore public confidence and avoid back-room appointments. Some supervisors raised concerns about low turnout for special elections and urged considering timing and turnout implications.
After public comment, the committee voted to forward the charter measure to the full Board with no recommendation so that the proposal and its practical implications can be debated further.
Next steps: the Board may vote to place the amendment on the November ballot, refine the proposal's timing rules (for example, whether a vacancy with less than a year remaining triggers appointment), and spell out interim arrangements.
