Measure RM: City Council Reform Measure
City of South El Monte · Los Angeles County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
Shall the voters amend the South El Monte Municipal Code to return to five elected City Council members and a Mayor selected from among the five elected City Council members?
In plain language
Measure RM changes how South El Monte's city government is set up. A YES vote changes the city's rules. It brings back five elected City Council members. The Mayor would be chosen from among those five members. A NO vote keeps the current city council structure.
Impartial analysis
MEASURE RM CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS The South El Monte City Council (“City Council”) is currently composed of one mayor who is directly elected at-large by the South El Monte voters, and four council members, each also elected at-large. South El Monte’s elected mayor serves a term of four years. Under California law, city councils of general law cities , such as the City of South El Monte (“City”), would fall under a default structure of a five-member body that selects one of its members to serve as the mayor, every two years coinciding with the City’s regular election cycle. However, t he voters of a general law city may approve a ballot measure to change the composition of their city council into a body comprised of one elected mayor and four councilmembers, all elected by the voters at -large. In 1999, South El Monte voters approved such a ballot measure establishing the office of mayor as an elective office and establishing the City Council’s current structure referenced above. Per Government Code section 34902(b), however, city voters may later restore a city council to the default structure of a five-member body with five councilmembers whose members select one of their members to hold the title of the mayor, instead of the voters. If approved by South El Monte voters at the City’s upcoming November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, Measure RM would restore the City Council to a five-member body that, at least as frequently as every two years coinciding with the City’s regular election cycle, selects one of its members to hold the title of mayor, instead of the voters. Under the Measure, the City’s current incumbent mayor will be allowed to serve out the unexpired balance of her term. Commencing with the City’s November 2028 regular election cycle, the position of the mayor will cease to exist as a voter-approved office and will not appear on the ballot. The City Council members amongst themselves will then select who will hold the title of the mayor. A YES vote will change the office of the m ayor from one that is directly elected by the voters, to one that is selected by the City Council, and reestablishes the seat as a City Council seat. A NO vote will retain the direct election of the office of the mayor by the voters. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure RM. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please contact the City Clerk’s office by calling ( 626) 579- 6540 or emailing sem.cityclerk@soelmonte.org, and a copy will be sent at no cost to you. A copy of the Measure is also available on the city elections home page at www.cityofsouthelmonte.org/401/Elections. /s/ Susie Altamirano, City Attorney
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE RM Shifting toward a rotating mayoral model—where the position of Mayor is shared or circulated annually among elected council members—presents a strategic opportunity to strengthen local democracy, distribute leadership responsibility, and enhance municipal responsiveness. This model enhances leadership equity, distributes administrative burdens, and fosters a more collaborative municipal government. Core Advantages: • Equitable Leadership Distribution: A rotating structure prevents the long-term centralization of executive authority in a single office. It ensures that every elected official has an equal platform to steer municipal policy and advocate for citywide initiatives. • Diverse Representation: By circulating the mayoral seat, the city can spotlight various legislative priorities and community perspectives. This prevents administrative stagnation and ensures that leadership remains dynamic and reflective of South El Monte's diverse population. • Strengthened Council Synergy: A horizontal leadership model cultivates true collaboration rather than hierarchy among council members. Decisions are increasingly driven by consensus, strengthening overall policy outcomes and legislative unity. • Fiscal and Operational Efficiency: Implementing a rotation among existing elected officials requires no costly special elections or expanded executive overhead, maximizing public resources while maintaining robust governance. Adopting a rotating mayoral selection process offers South El Monte a resilient, balanced, and inclusive framework. By championing shared leadership, the city can foster a more transparent, adaptable, and community-centered local government prepared for future municipal challenges. Vote YES on Measure RM! s/Hector Delgado, Councilmember-City of South El Monte s/Larry Rodriguez, Councilmember-City of South El Monte
Argument against
Argument Against Measure RM Dear Neighbors and Friends, This election asks one simple, but fundamental question: Who should choose our Mayor, you the Voters, or a majority of Politicians on the City Council? The people of South El Monte already answered that question by an overwhelming margin of 70%; you voted to have an elected Mayor. You decided that we cannot afford anymore backroom deals, political favors, and a rotating title handed out by whoever holds the council majority. Three councilmembers want to take that choice away from you. This council majority has spent more energy trying to eliminate the office that the people elected than earning that office themselves. If they want to be Mayor, then they should have the courage to run for it, and face the voters, not change the rules because they cannot win under the current system. We have already seen what happens when politics come before accountability. The recent 3-2 council vote was disappointing, it showed exactly why concentrating the power to select the Mayor in the hands of a majority is a serious mistake. An elected Mayor answers to every voter in the city, not just three colleagues. South El Monte deserves leaders who show up, work hard, atend community events, stay present in our neighborhoods, and always put residents and our city of South El Monte first, not their own political agenda. Your support in this election is bigger than any single person. It is about protecting your vote, preserving your voice, choosing leaders who put you first, and keeping decision-making power where it belongs: with the people of South El Monte. Keep our right to vote and elect our Mayor. Please stand with us once again, vote No to a Rotating Mayor. Keep our elected Mayor accountable directly to you. s/Gloria Olmos, Mayor of South El Monte s/Manny Acosta, Councilman of South El Monte
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.