The voters of any district that is a local public entity as defined by Section 900.4 of the Government Code, and to which Section 9300 applies, shall have the right to petition for referendum on legislative acts of the district in the same manner and subject to the same rules as are set forth in Sections 9141, 9142, 9143, 9144, 9145, 9146, and 9147, except that all computations referred to in those sections and officers of the county mentioned in those sections shall be construed to refer to comparable computations and officers of the district.
District ElectionsReferendum
Section § 9340
Voters in certain local districts in California have the right to request a public vote, or referendum, on laws passed by their district. This process follows the same rules used for county measures, with adjustments made for district-specific calculations and officials.
local public entity referendum petition for referendum process district legislative acts
Section § 9341
This law outlines the process for issuing revenue bonds by a school district, special district, or any local agency involved in a joint powers agreement. After the ordinance for these bonds is made, it cannot take effect for 60 days.
If more than 500,000 votes were cast in the last governor election within the agency's area, residents can challenge the ordinance through a referendum by gathering signatures from at least 5% of the election's voters. If fewer than 500,000 votes were cast, at least 10% is needed for a referendum.
If a referendum is called, the ballot will ask voters if the specified agency, as part of a joint powers group, should issue the bonds, including details about the bonds' purpose and redemption.
(a)CA Elections Code § 9341(a) Notwithstanding Section 9340, ordinances authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds by a school district, special district, or any other local agency as part of a joint powers entity pursuant to Section 6547 of the Government Code, shall not take effect for 60 days.
(b)CA Elections Code § 9341(b) When the number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election within the boundaries of the school district, special district, or any other local agency described in subdivision (a) exceeds 500,000, the ordinance is subject to referendum upon presentation of a petition bearing signatures of at least 5 percent of the entire vote cast within the boundaries of the school district, special district, or any other local agency for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. When the number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election within the boundaries of the school district, special district, or any other local agency is less than 500,000, the ordinance is subject to referendum upon presentation of a petition bearing signatures of at least 10 percent of the entire vote cast within the boundaries of the school district, special district, or any other local agency for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.
(c)CA Elections Code § 9341(c) For the purpose of submitting the question to the voters pursuant to subdivision (b), the ballot wording shall approximate the following:
“Shall the ___________________,
(school district,
special district,
or any other local
agency name)
as a member of the _____________,
(joint powers
entity name)
authorize the issuance of revenue bonds by the joint powers entity in the amount of $____ pursuant to ordinance number ____ dated ____, the bonds to be used for the following purposes and to be redeemed in the following manner: ________?”
revenue bonds joint powers entity local agency referendum
Section § 9341.5
If you've started a referendum in California, you can cancel it any time before the 88th day leading up to the election. This is true regardless of whether the elections official has already reviewed and approved your petition.
The proponent of a referendum may withdraw the referendum at any time before the 88th day before the election, whether or not the petition has already been found sufficient by the elections official.
referendum withdrawal proponent rights petition sufficiency
Section § 9342
The governing board of a district can ask voters in the district to decide on legislative issues, similar to how county boards handle voter questions.
The governing board of any district to which Section 9340 applies may refer legislative questions to the voters of the district in the same manner as the board of supervisors may refer county questions pursuant to Section 9140.
district governing board voter legislation questions district referendum
