May  2022 

City Charter Review Committee

The Charter of the City of Santa Rosa basically provides the framework for running and managing the city.  Not less than every 10 years, per Section 12 of the Charter of the City of Santa Rosa, a

Committee of 21 members is appointed by the City Council to review and potentially update the Charter.  That review is now underway and the framework for the Committee’s work is being developed.  For more information go to srcity.org/Charter.

Many of the issues to be discussed are pro forma and do not change appreciably.  However, interesting items do appear.  On the current agenda is the issue of Voting Rights for Noncitizens.

This item is suggested by Committee members and broadly supported by the Committee as a whole.  The rationale for this action is that those who live, work and pay taxes in Santa Rosa should have a voice in how the City is governed.  There is nothing in federal or state law that precludes a local government from expanding the right to vote in their own elections.  This action would require a charter amendment.