City of Anaheim Council Member Increase Amendment, Measure M (November 2014)

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A City of Anaheim Council Member Increase Amendment ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Anaheim in Orange County, California. It was approved.

Upon approval, Measure M amended the Anaheim City Charter to increase the number of city council members from four to six - not counting the mayor.

Election results

Orange County, Measure M
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		23,752	54.2%
No		20,103	45.8%

Election results via: Orange County Registrar of Voters

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot appeared as:

“

Shall the City Charter be amended to: (i) increase the number of City Council members from four (plus the Mayor) to six (plus the Mayor), (ii) provide for timing the election to fill newly created Council seats and therafter staggering Council member terms so that every two years, three of the Council members stand for election, and (iii) make conforming amendments?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was provided for Measure M:

“	This measure was placed on the ballot by a vote of the Anaheim City Council. Background/Existing Law: The City Charter currently states that the City Council consists of four elected Council members and a separately elected Mayor. This Charter Amendment Measure: This proposed measure amends Charter Section 500 to increase the number of City Council members from four (plus the Mayor) to six (plus the Mayor). As a result, there would be seven elected City officers. The increase in the size of the Council proposed by this measure would take effect beginning with the November 2016 election. This measure provides a process to transition the elections for the two newly-created City Council seats into the Charter's existing City Council election cycles. The measure states that at the November 2016 election, four Council seats (comprised of the two new Council seats created by this measure and two existing Council seats) would be up for election. Following the November 2016 election, lots would be drawn and one of the four Council members elected at that election would be randomly selected to serve a two-year term (not a four-year term as otherwise provided by the Charter); the other three Council member elected at the November 2016 election would serve four-year terms. Thereafter, the three Council members elected to four-year terms would be elected each fourth year thereafter (i.e., 2020, 2024, etc.). The other three Council members (including the Council member randomly selected to serve a shorter two-year term) would be elected in November 2018 and each fourth year thereafter (i.e.,2022, 2026, etc.). To account for the increase in the City Council's size, this proposed measure also amends Charter Sections 507, 508 and 511 to adjust the number of affirmative votes by Council members that are necessary to approve specified Council actions. Effect of this Charter Amendment Measure: If approved, the size of the City Council would increase from five (including the Mayor) to seven (including the Mayor). However, the increase in Council size would not take effect until the November 2016 election. Although actual costs, if any, are not known at this time, there may be a fiscal impact related to increasing the size of the Council. This proposed measure states that if a separate Charter Amendment measure requiring City Council members (other than the Mayor) to be residents of and elected by districts is approved by the voters at this election, then that measure requiring Council district elections shall be deemed complimentary with, and not in conflict with, this proposed measure such that both measures take effect. A "Yes" vote is in favor of adopting this measure. A "No" vote is against adopting this measure. If a majority of voters vote "Yes" then this measure will take effect when it is filed with the Secretary of State.	”
—Michael R. W. Houston, Anaheim City Attorney

Support

Supporters

Tom Tait, Anaheim Mayor, signed the official arguments in support of Measure M.

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure M:

“	Leaders of Anaheim’s neighborhood groups, small businesses, and civic organizations agree: Vote Yes on Measure M for better city services and for a more accountable City Council. Anaheim’s 340,000 residents deserve a City Council that is accountable to the people and can help you and your neighborhood get the best possible city services. But Anaheim currently elects only four City Council members to serve the entire city. Each of the four are responsible for serving 67,000 people – more than any other city our size in California. The sheer number of people each council member represents makes it difficult for them to get you and your community the city services that you need and deserve. Voting Yes on Measure M adds two seats to the Anaheim City Council. Together with Measure L, voting Yes will bring local government closer to the people and our neighborhoods. With two new seats, your council member will have more time to meet your needs and the needs of your neighborhood, making it easier for them to fight for you at City Hall. Voting Yes on Measure M and reducing the number of residents each council member represents: Will reduce the influence of special interests at City Hall by making it easier for neighborhood-based candidates to run. Will mean better representation for you and your neighborhood. Will ensure more responsive city services, from public safety to parks, from traffic control to street repair. The independent Anaheim Citizens Advisory Committee on Elections and Community Involvement unanimously recommended expanding the City Council’s capacity. Anaheim’s neighborhood groups, small businesses, and civic organizations say VOTE YES ON M. Join us and vote Yes on Measure M for better city services and for a more accountable City Council.	”
—Tom Tait, Anaheim Mayor

Opposition

Opponents

Denis Fitzgerald, member of the board of directors of Anaheim Home Owners Maintaining our Environment (H.O.M.E), signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure M.

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure M:

“	The “fine print” of Council Resolutions # 2014-17, and #2014-18 establishes a possible “either-or” situation between the two Anaheim Ballot Measures on the November 4, 2014 Ballot. Section 3 (c), Competing Measures, Complementary Measures, both Council Resolutions state: (If) this Charter Amendment measure receives a greater number of affirmative votes than any other such measure…this charter Amendment measure shall control in its entirety, and said other measure or measures shall be rendered void and without any legal effect. There is something rotten in the State of Anaheim, vote no on #M.	”
—Denis Fitzgerald, member of the board of directors of Anaheim Home Owners Maintaining our Environment (H.O.M.E)

See also

• City governance on the ballot
• Orange County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Orange County Elections Office website
• Anaheim City Elections Office website