Measure U was placed on the ballot by the Torrance City Council. This Measure, if approved by the Torrance voters, would amend the City Charter to allow the City Council 60 days to fill a vacancy in elective office.
The current City Charter only requires that the City Council fill a vacancy in an elective office by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs or cause an election to be held to fill the vacancy.
Government Code section 36512 provides that in the event of a vacancy in elective office, the City Council shall appoint within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy or call an election to fill the vacancy.
This Measure would amend the City Charter to make it consistent with Government Code section 36512 by allowing the City Council 60 days to fill a vacancy in elective office. It is difficult for the City Council to fill a vacancy in elective office by appointment within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. It gives very little time to announce the vacancy, advertise the application process, receive applications, conduct interviews, and then schedule an agenda item for a City Council meeting to consider an appointment to fill the vacancy in elective office.
A YES vote on Measure U allows the City Council to fill a vacancy in elective office by appointment within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. A NO vote Measure U retains the current time limit of 30 days to fill a vacancy in elective office by appointment. A majority vote is required for the Measure to pass.
