Newport Beach To Hold First Special Election In 44 Years For Trio Of Resident-Initiated Measures

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — The City of Newport Beach will host its first special election on Nov. 3 for the first time in 44 years, after city officials voted to move forward with the special election, which will allow local voters to weigh in on three resident-sponsored initiatives.

The Newport Beach City Council voted to move forward with the court-ordered election at a special council meeting on Friday, Sept. 11.

The special election will run concurrently with the general election, though Newport Beach voters will receive an additional ballot along with their usual ballot.

According to The Orange County Register, a county Superior Court judge rejected concerts regarding the special election from city officials on Monday, setting Newport Beach up for its first special election in 44 years.

The concerns, the report said, had to do with the crunched timeline of the special election and possible state election law and city charter conflicts.

According to the report, Superior Court Judge Julianne Bancroft had previously ordered that Newport Beach "take all steps necessary" to hold the election for the initiatives — which were previously scheduled for 2028 — in November.

The resident-sponsored initiatives, authored by the Newport Beach Stewardship Association, would change term limits, oversight of public meetings and records and how council members are elected.

Attorney's for the Newport Beach Stewardship Association told The OC Register that the city has had ample time to get the three initiatives on the ballot.

According to Newport Beach City Staff, the special election could cost up to $1.5 million.