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Election Results
Passed
23,750 votes yes (69.42%)
10,460 votes no (30.58%)
100% of precincts reporting (38/38).
36,684 ballots counted.
Shall Section 401 of the Chico City Charter be amended to limit the members of the Chico City Council to no more than three (3) consecutive terms?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
Impartial analysis / Proposal
City Clerk of Chico
This ballot measure would amend the Charter of the City of Chico to add term limitations of the members of the City Council. Presently, persons serving in each office may serve four-year terms. Consequently, those persons can, in effect, serve unlimited terms. This measure would eliminate the ability to serve unlimited terms and create a limit of three consecutive terms each for the offices of the City Council.
The measure would operate prospectively, so that any time served by a person serving in office before November 6, 2018, would not count toward the term limit thereafter. A full term will be defined as any partial service of a term exceeding two years, or any term that ends as a result of resignation or removal. Calculation of terms includes any time served as mayor, vice-mayor, or mayor pro tempore.
A "Yes" vote would serve to eliminate the ability of persons serving as a City Council Member to serve unlimited terms, and would limit an individual to serving a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms on the City Council.
A "No" vote would serve to leave the absence of term limitations as is.
This measure was placed on the ballot by action of the Chico City Council on July 3, 2018.
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
12 consecutive years as a Council Member is long enough!
Term Limits encourage greater citizen participation in government by ensuring regular turnover in Council Member seats. Citizens of all professions and backgrounds can and will run for office.
The simple requirement would be: After 3 consecutive terms (usually 12-consecutive years) in office, a Council Member would need to take a 2-year break before running for City Council again.
Vote "YES" for reasonable Term Limits.
— City Clerk, City of Chico
Arguments AGAINST
We already have term limits. They're called elections.
Term limits take away your right to choose. Term limits prohibit you from electing the most qualified person for the job. Imposing term limits would remove the power from voters in favor of an arbitrary law. Voter choices are restricted when a candidate is barred from being on the ballot. Don't allow term limits to replace your right to vote.
Experience matters! What other profession forces the best employees into retirement with no consideration of their abilities or effectiveness on the job? Rather than forcing experienced elected officials to the sidelines with term limits, we need to embrace the skills, talents and relationships they bring to the table to best serve the people. There is no reason to believe, especially at the local level, that inexperienced people will be any more capable of serving than veteran council members. Chico is fortunate to find qualified people who are willing to give time to serve their community. Councilmembers should be judged by how well they represent their constituents, not by an arbitrary time limit.
People's voices, not those of special interests. Council's job is to direct staff. Inexperienced leaders defer more frequently to staff and special interests. Term limits ensure lobbyists have more experience than the people you elect. Now, you can vote someone out, Term limits would take away your right to have knowledgeable, experienced people representing your interests. The only people who would gain from this are those who want to eliminate competition, and enhance special interests. Maintain your right to choose; don't give it away.
Kicking out competent and experienced Councilmembers simply because their time runs out is bad policy and a bad idea.
Vote "no" on Measure S.
Signed
Maureen Kirk. Butte County Supervisor District 3
Ann Schwab, City of Chico Councilmember
Debra Lucero, Butte County Supervisor District 2, elect
— City Clerk, City of Chico
Read the proposed legislation
More information
