Orange Voters Will Decide Measure K in November

The proposed charter would establish new term limits for city officials and update municipal governance.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration showing a brass city key on a stone plinth, symbolizing municipal governance and local authority. — Orange residents will vote on Measure K this November, a proposal to transition the city into a charter status with new financial oversight mandates. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city reset term-limit clocks for local elected officials?

Orange residents will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to vote on Measure K, a proposed city charter. If approved, the measure would transition the city from its current general-law status to a charter city, granting greater control over local affairs.

Why it matters

The City Council contends that the charter provides necessary authority for local governance. It establishes specific mandates for financial oversight and creates an Open Space Reserve for city-owned properties.

Measure K sets a lifetime limit of three four-year terms for councilmembers and two four-year terms for the mayor, with previous service not counting toward the totals. Passage of the charter requires a simple majority vote of 50% plus one.

The players

Daniel Slater

He is the Mayor of Orange who voted in favor of placing the charter on the ballot.

Bilodeau

This council member voted to place Measure K on the ballot.

Dumitru

This council member voted in favor of placing the charter before the voters.

Tavoularis

This council member voted in support of the measure during the July 14, 2026 meeting.

The details

The charter requires the council to adopt a balanced operating budget and perform an annual audit. It also permits the council to suspend officials facing corruption or felony charges through a three-fourths majority vote.

Orange has operated as a general-law city since 1886.
The City Council voted 4-3 to place the charter on the ballot on July 14, 2026.
Voters will decide on Measure K on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

The move to a charter city status faces scrutiny from those who prefer the established general-law framework dictated by state law. Critics often argue that individual charters can lead to fragmented local governance compared to the uniform standards provided by the state.

If Measure K passes, the city's administrative framework will officially change, impacting how municipal ordinances are drafted and enforced. Taxpayers will see new oversight requirements, including mandatory annual audits and balanced budget mandates.

The takeaway

Voters will determine the future of city management by choosing whether to move away from the 1886 general-law structure. This decision will dictate both the term limits for local officials and the mechanisms for financial transparency.