(a) Format. Except as provided in Subsection (c) of this Section, the City Attorney shall prepare a general statement of any ballot measure to be submitted to the voters, followed by the words "yes" and "no," so arranged that voters may indicate a choice upon the ballot. The general statement or question shall not exceed 30 words, except where the subject measure is unusually complex, in which case the general statement or question shall not exceed 100 words.
(b) Deadline. The general question or statement for any measure shall be transmitted to the Director of Elections no fewer than 85 days prior to the election to which it relates, for printing and inclusion in the voter information pamphlet.
(c) Bond Measures. The City Attorney shall not prepare the general statement of a bond measure where the Board of Supervisors approves a general statement of the measure by ordinance or resolution. The general statement of a bond measure shall not exceed 100 words.
(d) List of Supporters and Opponents of Measure. Notwithstanding Section 9170(a) of the California Elections Code, and as authorized by Section 9170(d) of the California Elections Code, for any election held in Fiscal Year 2023-24, the general statement or question of any ballot measure to be submitted to voters shall not list the supporters or the opponents of the measure. For elections held after Fiscal Year 2023-24, the Board of Supervisors may opt out of the requirements of Section 9170(a) by resolution submitted and approved as part of the annual budget process.
(Added by Ord. 429-97, App. 11/17/97; amended by Ord. 183-03, File No. 030652, App. 7/25/2003; Ord. 178-23, File No. 230663, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023)