A packed ballot measure designed to radically alter the way the City of Los Alamitos is governed will head to the polls after a Superior Court Judge denied the request by local citizens to grant a Writ of Mandate.
In a multi-hour hearing on Aug. 29, Superior Court Judge Craig L. Griffin heard arguments that suggested the ballot measure, despite any merits such arguments might have, would have to be challenged after the vote because the city had apparently met all of the informational and deadline requirements to qualify for the ballot.
Petitioners in the case were Wendy and Dean Grose, Norman and Shauna Trute.
In the ruling, “petitioners make several challenges in connection with the proposed amendments to the City Charter to be placed before the voters on Nov. 5, 2024,” wrote Judge Griffin.
“Petitioners contend the content of the Charter Amendments, and the ballot titles, ballot summary and impartial analysis contain false and misleading statements and omit information necessary to inform voters of the true nature of the Charter Amendments,” he continued.
“As to the challenges to the substance of the Charter Amendments, including whether it unconstitutionally includes separate unrelated matters, the court rejects them without prejudice.
“As to the time deadline on the materials,” the Judge also ruled in favor of the city, rejecting the argument that the city clerk had not filed the various parts of the amendments on a timely basis.
“Accordingly, the court holds that petitioners challenge to the ballot materials are time bound, therefore the petition for the Writ of Mandate is denied,” Jusdge Griffin wrote.
Carol Churchill, who acted as the plaintiff’s attorney, said the judge’s ruling on a technicality may leave open the possibility of a challenge after the vote.
If approved existing council members will be able to serve as long as 24 years in office, the city manager will have the singular power to grant no-bid public works contracts of $125,000, the ity will limit some campaign contributions and, if approved, will require “lobbyists” to register, among other things.