Los Angeles Voters Will Decide on Charter Amendment EE
The November 3, 2026, ballot measure proposes significant changes to city ethics, oversight, and referendum rules.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Civic Engagement
Live Poll
Do you support the proposed changes to the Los Angeles city charter in Amendment EE?
Los Angeles residents will vote on Charter Amendment EE during the November 3, 2026, general election. The proposed measure includes revisions to city council meeting requirements, municipal ethics rules, and signature thresholds for citizen referendums.
Why it matters
The proposal seeks to shift how the city handles public accountability and governance, potentially raising the barrier for future ballot measures while tightening restrictions on ethics officials. Proponents suggest these updates will increase administrative efficiency and discourage ethical misconduct.
The amendment raises the referendum signature requirement from 10% of votes cast in the last mayoral election to 15%, increasing the target from 93,000 to 140,000 signatures within a 30-day window.
The players
Los Angeles City Council
This is the primary governing body of the city that would be affected by the proposed meeting schedule changes.
LAUSD Board
This is the governing body for the Los Angeles Unified School District that would be subject to the new candidacy restrictions.
The details
Amendment EE would prohibit police and fire commissions from blocking independent audits and increase civil ethics fines to align with the $15,000 administrative level set by 2024's Charter Amendment ER. Additionally, the measure introduces a five-year post-service ban preventing ethics commissioners and executive directors from seeking City Council or LAUSD board seats.
Timeline
2022: The mayoral general election recorded 929,000 total votes cast.
2024: Voters approved Charter Amendment ER to establish ethics fine levels.
Last year: Business groups attempted a referendum to repeal the minimum wage.
November 3, 2026: Los Angeles voters decide on Amendment EE.
Political Context
Critics of the measure point to the increased signature threshold as an attempt to restrict grassroots referendum power, contrasting with the current ease of ballot access. Opponents argue these changes may consolidate power within the city government rather than fostering greater community engagement.
Residents may face more stringent requirements if they intend to petition for future city referendums, given the proposed 50% increase in the signature threshold. The measure also changes the landscape for local oversight by strengthening the independence of audits for fire and police departments.
The takeaway
Voters should note that Amendment EE represents a significant overhaul of local governance and ethical standards. Carefully reviewing the ballot language is recommended, as the changes could impact both future citizen-led initiatives and the composition of city leadership.
Further reading
For more information on local policy, visit the Los Angeles Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Times.
Live Poll
Do you support the proposed changes to the Los Angeles city charter in Amendment EE?
