A state appeals court has denied a motion by an Oxnard resident to get a term limit measure on the November ballot.
Aaron Starr, who initiated a citizens ballot initiative setting limits to City Council terms, was hoping Oxnard voters would have the chance to vote for it Nov. 3. On Wednesday, a panel of three judges at the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld a ruling by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Henry Walsh against Starr's initiative.
The tight timeline makes it unlikely that the term limits measure will make it to the upcoming ballot. Starr could choose to seek a petition for review by the state Supreme Court.
"California courts have long held that the people’s power of initiative ought to be jealousy guarded. We are weighing our options for how best to restore this power that California voters have reserved for themselves since 1911," Starr wrote in a statement Thursday, referring to the year the state initiative process was established.
More: Aaron Starr takes term limits row with Oxnard to court
The term limits measure is one of five written by Starr having to do with City Hall matters. The four other measures have made it to the ballot despite the city's effort to block three of them. Voters will have a chance to weigh in on city meeting parameters, city treasurer duties, streets maintenance and a self-certified permitting system.
What's unique about the term limits measure is that it rivaled the city's version.
In April 2019, Starr announced his intention to begin collecting signatures in support of his five initiatives, including the term limit initiative, which would set two four-year term limits for the mayor and council members. The City Council in October decided to place a measure on the March 2020 ballot that would set three four-year terms as limits for the mayor and City Council.
Before the March primary, the council had the option to adopt Starr's term limits initiative as is or place it on the November ballot. Without discussing the matter, council voted to adopt it. But Starr's initiative didn't last long because voters eventually approved the city's version known as Measure B.
"The Oxnard City Council’s gamesmanship deprives the electorate of their right to vote on council term limits," according to Starr.
Starr sued the city, claiming the council didn't have the authority to adopt his term limits measure. Judge Walsh last week ordered the city to place three of Starr's initiatives on the November ballot but in a separate ruling refused to place the term limits initiative on the ballot. According to Walsh's ruling, the city's version is similar to Starr's and Starr could choose to go through the initiative process again to change it.
The latest appeals court ruling upheld that decision.
"We’re pleased to be done with this issue," said Oxnard City Attorney Stephen Fischer.
Wendy Leung is a staff writer for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at wendy.leung@vcstar.com or 805-437-0339. You can also find her on Twitter @Leung__Wendy.
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Court denies Aaron Starr appeal on term limit initiative - VC Star
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