Governance, Elections, and Civic Process

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Agenda item: Proposed Ballot Measure for the November 3, 2026, Election to Amend the City Charter to Allow the City Council the Option to Utilize Ranked Choice Voting Only in an Election to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of the Mayor or Councilmember.. City Council recently discussed this issue.

5.2: Subject: Proposed Ballot Measure To Reform Oakland’s City Charter From: Office Of The Mayor Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Submitting To The Voters At The November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election A Measure That Would Amend The Oakland City Charter To, Among Other Things (1) Make The Mayor The City’s Chief Executive Officer Responsible For Managing City Affairs; (2) Empower The Council To Confirm The Appointments Of The Directors Of Finance, Human Resources, Public Works, And Transportation; (3) Empower The Council To Create An Independent Budget And Legislative Analyst’s Office To Provide The Council Fiscal And Policy Analysis That Is Objective And Nonpartisan; (4) Affirm Councilmembers’ Right To Request Information And Relay Constituent Concerns, And City Officials’ Duty To Respond Promptly; (5) Empower The Council To Hold Legislative Hearings And Issue Subpoenas; (6) Create A Mayoral Veto With A Line-Item Budget Veto And A Council Power To Override Any Veto; (7) Require Councilmembers To Work Full Time And Not Engage In Outside Employment; (8) Empower The Public Ethics Commission To Align The Mayor’s And Councilmembers’ Salaries With Those Of Comparable Full-Time Public Officials; And (9) Require The Publication Of Ordinances Within Fifteen Days Of Passage; And Directing The City Clerk To Take All Actions Necessary Under Law To Submit This Measure To The Voters At The Election; And Making Appropriate California Environmental Quality Act Findings

j.: a Resolution Ordering and Calling for the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election to Fill Three (Full Term) City Council Vacancies in Council Districts 1, 3, and 5; Requesting Consolidation of Elections, and Specifying Certain Procedures for the Consolidated Election; Requiring Payment of Prorated Costs of Candidates’ Statements; and Providing for Giving Notice of Election

14.: Adopt a resolution: A) Consolidating the Statewide Direct Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 with elections called by Brisbane School District, Ravenswood City School District, and Redwood City Elementary School District; and B) Authorizing the County’s Chief Elections Officer to provide specified election services and supplies in conjunction therewith