Last week the San Jose City Council voted to place a measure on the November ballot that includes provisions similar to the community-led Fair Elections Initiative, which would move the mayoral election to presidential years and limit campaign contributions. The Council-approved measure would: 1. Move the mayoral election to presidential years by giving Mayor Sam Liccardo a two year term extension; 2. Institute campaign contribution reforms; and 3. Give the Mayor the ability to hire and fire the City Manager and fire department heads, subject to an overriding vote by the City Council. The City Council will approve the language of the measure during a special meeting July 28.
"The Fair Elections Initiative campaign has been ongoing since last July and could not have been possible without robust community-led organizing efforts. We want to thank everyone who shared the goal of strengthening our democracy and supported the Initiative," said Ben Field, Executive Officer of the South Bay Labor Council.