The Orange County Registrar of Voters has rejected Newport Beach leaders’ attempt to get three initiatives aimed at transparency and changing how people elect city council members on the 2026 ballot weeks past the official deadline.
The rejection, which was written by County Counsel Leon Page on behalf of County Registrar Bob Page, comes a day after an Orange County Superior Court Judge ordered city leaders to put the initiatives on the November ballot instead of kicking them to the presidential election in 2028, saying the city “abused its discretion,” by delaying the initiatives.
“This Court has the authority in this mandamus proceeding to order the City Council to immediately take the necessary steps to place these three initiatives on the November 3, 2026 ballot,” reads the minute order from Judge Julianne Bancroft’s decision on Thursday.
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