957 / 14.4% Yes votes ...... 5701 / 85.6% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Measure 2005-A would repeal Measure J thus changing the law to provide that there are no limits on the number of terms, consecutive or otherwise, which a person may serve as a council member.

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Term limits encourage strong community participation. Term limits incentivize Councilmembers to help identify and support the development of future leaders. They also encourage participation by leveling the playing field where an incumbent commonly is acknowledged to have an overwhelming advantage.

No public impetus for ballot measure. This measure was not placed on the ballot by the public. It was put on the ballot by the City Council in the face of public testimony opposing it, and no public testimony supporting it. The public made its opinion known when it voted for the current term limits just eight years ago. We have faith that our voters exercised their voting rights responsibly and understood the term limits enacted by that vote.

Support democracy; vote no. The current law is a moderate measure that lowers the barriers of entry, thereby encouraging a diversity of candidates and greater choice for the electorate. The current law is a reasonable one that permits an incumbent completing eight years of service to run again after sitting out just two years.

Our community has recently been scarred as a result of the entrenchment of elected citizens on a government body. The depth and strength of community involvement will be nurtured by continued support of the current law – a moderate law requiring an incumbent to merely sit out for two years after serving eight years. Please Vote NO on Measure 2005-A.

/s/ Martha Andreani
President, Manhattan Beach Residents Association

NOW, THEREFORE, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Measure "J" passed by the voters of the City of Manhattan Beach in 1996 which established a term limit for City Council members of two consecutive terms after which a former council member must be out of office for at least two years before being eligible to run for Council again, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

SECTION 2. Any Council member serving on the effective date of this ordinance or elected thereafter shall not have the number of terms they may serve, consecutive or otherwise, limited in any way.

SECTION 3. The City Council may pass any ordinance necessary to implement the provisions of this initiative which are not inconsistent with its express terms.

SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be considered as adopted upon the date the vote is declared by the legislative body, and shall go into effect 10 days after that date.

SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause it to be published according to law.