Well here we go readers. This is the exact language of the ballot proposal that Modestan's For Fair District Elections has worked out. It is absolutely necessary for our election process for Modesto City Councilmembers to be changed. The current at large system has allowed Modesto to be controlled by councilmembers that are controlled by the building industry.  The 5th District Court of Appeals has ruled against the City of Modesto that continues to spend your tax dollars to fight District Elections. We the voters can make this important change a reality by supporting this measure. Please help us make District Elections a reality. We need donations in order to finance the costs of this effort. Please send your donations to Modestan's For Fair District Elections, P.O. Box 1166, Modesto, Ca 95353.                                     I.D. Number 1293327

AN INITIATIVE AMENDING THE MODESTO CITY CHARTER PROVIDING FOR
ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS BY DISTRICT
("The Election Reform Act of 2007")
"The stated intent of the initiative is to reform the City of Modesto's election system in order
to increase voter turnout, make elected officials more accountable to the citizens, allow citizens to
be represented by a councilmember who lives in their area of the city, and increase involvement in
City elections.
The proposed initiative would amend the Modesto City Charter by revising Section 503 and
adding Sections 504 and 505 providing for election of councilmembers by six different districts (the
Mayor would still be elected at large). Under the current election system, Councilmembers are
.elected "bychair" which are numericallydesignated as Chairs 1 through 6. Under the terms of the
proposed initiative, the City Clerk would be required to divide the City into six Councilmember
districts no later than July 1, 2008. At that time, Councilmembers previously elected to a
numerically designated chair would be deemed to be the representative of the district with the same
numerical designation. As of the date of the 2009 general municipal election, all Councilmembers
would be required to be residents of the districts that they represent. The terms of office would
remain at four years. Beginning in 2009 and every 4th year thereafter, Council districts 2,4 &5 will
be filled at the general municipal election. In 2011, and every 4thyear thereafter, the offices of
Mayor and Council districts 1,3, & 6 shall be filled at the general municipal election.
The proposed initiative also sets forth detailed guidelines for the City Clerk to follow in
determining the district boundaries. In general, those guidelines will require that the City be divided
into six geographic areas that split the City as evenly as possible in thirds from west to east and again
in half from north to south. The districts are required to be contiguous and as compact as possible.
The districts are required to be as nearly equal in population as possible according to the latest
federal census. The City Clerk would be required to redetermine district boundaries within 180 days
following the publication of each federal census and after each time the City annexes additional
territory.

Comments (0)

Write comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.