Elections

Elections are at the core of city functions, and issues can arise at any stage of the process, from candidate nomination through post-election challenges.
 
Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Municipal Law attorneys are recognized leaders in advising on a wide range of legal and tactical issues impacting cities with regard to local elections. Our lawyers regularly assist city clients with all types of elections, advising on everything from candidate nomination all the way through final canvass of election results. We are experienced in initiative drafting, filing, publication and circulation, handling ballot arguments, advising on campaign regulations, election contests, election timing, ballot security, recall procedures, ballot recounts, election result contests and other post-election matters.
 
Our lawyers routinely help municipal clients with drafting and placing their own local initiative measures on the ballot, as well as in responding to citizen-driven initiative and referendum measures. Further, we advise clients on current election law issues, including lawsuits under the California Voting Rights Act, which is forcing cities and other local agencies to change from an “at large” to “by district” election format. We are experienced in helping cities convert to a “by district” format, working to establish proportional voting districts as required by federal and state law, and we also advise on redistricting/reapportionment issues that often arise whenever a new federal census report is published.
 
BB&K municipal lawyers provide guidance on the Political Reform Act and campaign finance issues, including any new campaign finance regulations issued by the Fair Political Practices Commission and the Federal Election Commission. Our lawyers have advised many cities to ensure that local candidates and political action committees comply with applicable campaign disclosure requirements and have helped cities draft their own local campaign contribution limitation ordinances to the extent permitted by law.
 
While our primary purpose is to assist city clients with legal issues, our vast range of elections experience enables us to advise our clients on the best tactical strategy to ensure the desired political outcome for the city.