Bringing Reform to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a Charter City and is governed by the guidelines of the Charter.
While it is a difficult task, it is not impossible for he residents of Los Angeles to amend and or change the Charter.
The Charter allows for a change in the Charter via the Amendment Petition Process. This can be brought about by the residents following the process outlined.
The first step in the process is to Submit in writing your “Notice of Intention” to the City Clerk along with two copies of the petition.
Second, send a written request to the City Attorney to prepare an Official Title and Summary.
Third, publish the Notice of Intent to Circulate a Charter Amendment Initiative Petition with the Official Title and Summary prepared by the City Attorney and signed by the sponsors.
Once published, submit the Proof of Publication to the City Clerk.
Once you receive the Official Title and Summary from the City Attorney, the time clock starts running. You have 180 days to collect and submit your signatures.
This is Los Angeles so there is a requirement to publish the notices and petition in any language where there are more than a 5% of citizens who speak that language.
The number of signatures required for a Charter Amendment is 211,439. These must be valid. These are registered voters in the City of Los Angeles.
Once all signatures are submitted and the procedure verified, the City Clerk will attach a certificate to the petition showing the results and send it to the City Council who must place it on the ballot.
Not to complicated and not impossible but it will take time, money and a dedication rarely seen these days.
In Your Corner,
David Hernandez
