Measure J - City of Richmond Charter Amendment to Require a Primary Election

Summary

Richmond Mayor/Councilmembers are elected at general municipal elections wherein candidates receiving the highest votes are elected. Beginning 2026, this measure creates a "primary municipal election" and "general municipal election." Primary municipal elections coincide with even year statewide primary elections (for Council districts with Councilmember terms expiring on second Tuesdays in January or citywide when Mayoral term expires similarly), follow general municipal elections, and are held for nominating candidates for general municipal elections. A candidate receiving a majority vote at the primary municipal election is elected and no general municipal election occurs. Otherwise, the 2 candidates receiving the highest votes for an office are placed on the general municipal election ballot (coinciding with even year statewide general election). Elections Code governs nomination paper filing deadlines. Council nomination papers must be signed by not less than 20 nor more than 30 qualified voters of their district. Mayoral nomination papers must be signed by not less than 40 nor more than 60 qualified Richmond voters. Council fills its vacancies by appointment or election per Charter Article III. For vacancies filled by election, this measure changes procedures by requiring a "special general municipal election" (on a date per the measure) and a "special primary municipal election" (on a date preceding the special general municipal election per the measure) with procedures similar to above. Council nomination papers follow Council requirements same as above, except circulation cannot occur more than 73 days before the special primary municipal election and must be filed not less than 53 days before the special primary municipal election. Appointees hold office until the second Tuesday in January following the next regular general municipal election wherein Councilmembers are elected, and if the term of office has not expired, a special municipal general election is scheduled on the regular general municipal election date to select a person for the unexpired term's remainder. If there is insufficient time for a special primary municipal election, then such election occurs at the next regular general municipal election. If no candidate receives a majority vote, the 2 candidates receiving the highest votes are placed on a special general municipal election ballot for an election following the special primary municipal election per the measure. For Mayoral vacancies, Vice Mayor serves as Mayor until vacancy is filled by election per Charter Article IIIA. This measure changes election procedures by requiring "special primary municipal elections" and "special general municipal elections" similar to Council vacancy-filling elections. Mayoral nomination papers follow Mayoral requirements same as above, except circulation/filing requirements are the same as for Council vacancy-filling elections.

Measure Details