Measure EV
City of Whittier · Los Angeles County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
Shall the measure amending the City's charter so that the City's general municipal elections (currently held in April of each even- numbered year) are held in each even- numbered year on the same day as the November statewide general elections, be adopted?
In plain language
Measure EV would change the City of Whittier's charter. It would move the city's general elections from April to November. This would happen in even-numbered years, on the same day as the statewide general election. A YES vote makes this change. A NO vote keeps city elections in April as they are now.
Impartial analysis
Impartial Analysis of Measure EV Keith Collins, City Attorney This measure, which was placed on the ballot by the Whittier City Council, proposes to adopt an ordinance that amends Whittier’s City Charter to change the date on which general municipal elections are held. Whittier holds its general municipal elections in each even-numbered year. Currently, these elections are held on the second Tuesday in April. By contrast, Statewide General Elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. This measure would continue to require that a general municipal election be held in each even-numbered year; however each such election would be held on the same date as the Statewide General Election. If this measure passes, the first municipal general election with a new date will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2028 (instead of April 11, 2028). The current terms of office of the Mayor and of each Member of the City Council will be extended until their successor takes office. For example, a Councilmember who was elected to a four-year term at the election held in April of 2026 will continue to hold office until the person elected at the November general election in 2030 takes office. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of changing the date of the City’s general municipal election to coincide with the Statewide General Election. A “no” vote is a vote to keep the City’s general municipal election date in April of even numbered years. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure EV.
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Vote YES on Measure EV Whittier has an opportunity to strengthen our democracy by aligning City elections with the statewide November election instead of holding them separately in April. When Whittier's municipal election was held alongside the statewide election in 2020, more than 22,000 residents cast ballots. After the City returned to stand-alone April elections, voter participation declined significantly. Aligning our elections with the November statewide ballot will give more residents the opportunity to have their voices heard in local decisions. The decisions made by our City government affect our daily lives; from maintaining our streets and sidewalks to supporting our parks, public safety, and planning for Whittier's future. These important decisions should reflect the participation of as many residents as possible. Consolidating elections will also reduce the cost of administering separate municipal elections, saving taxpayer dollars while increasing civic engagement. A YES vote means: Higher voter participation. Greater representation of the community. More efficient use of taxpayer funds. A stronger, more representative local government. Join us in supporting a more engaged and representative Whittier. We respectfully ask for your YES vote. Vote YES on Measure EV. Vicky Santana Whittier City Councilmember, District 2 Aida Macedo Whittier City Councilmember, District 4
Argument against
Vote NO on Measure EV. Moving Whittier’s elections from April to November protects incumbent councilmembers, costs the taxpayers more money, helps special interests and means waiting three weeks for results. In the November election, candidates for city council will have to spend three times as much money to campaign as in April. That gives incumbents and big-money special interests extraordinary influence in the outcome of the election. Challengers will not be able to raise enough money to be competitive. The rich developers, cannabis retailers, trash haulers, activists, aggressive unions and political parties, ALL FROM OUT-OF-TOWN, will be able to dictate the outcome like they have done in neighboring southeast cities known locally as the “corridor of corruption” for good reason. When Whittier conducts our own election in April it costs the taxpayers $450,000. Consolidating with the November County election could cost as much as $1.7 million. In April, Whittier candidates and issues are the only items on the ballot. Just like November, every April voter gets a ballot. But it takes just 5 minutes to mark it and mail it. All the ballots are counted in a few hours, not weeks. Most importantly, Whittier voters and candidates can focus just on Whittier issues without all the clutter of legislative races, state-wide ballot measures and judicial races. Burying the Whittier election in the middle of a massive November ballot with dozens of other decisions is not good for Whittier. Whittier has maintained its unique character and independence because we protected our local control of our city. We shouldn’t surrender that local control to out-of-town special interests. Whittier has successfully conducted its own April elections for decades. Moving the election to November benefits the incumbents with no real advantage to the voters. Vote wisely. Vote NO on measure EV. Meri Rama Andrew Pryor Alana Melgar Henry M. Ortega
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.