What does a YES vote on City of Los Angeles Measure LA mean?

LA's charter would create a capital infrastructure plan and a two-year budget cycle, give the Director of Public Works more authority and allow the Board of Public Works to be changed or eliminated, remove bans on City business enterprises and mortgaging City property, and change some contracting rules.

What does a NO vote on City of Los Angeles Measure LA mean?

LA's charter rules on budgeting, Public Works, City business enterprises, mortgaging property and contracting would stay as they are.

How many votes does City of Los Angeles Measure LA need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Los Angeles Measure LA?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

City of Los Angeles Measure LA (Los Angeles County)

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Los Angeles voters

What it does: CITY INFRASTRUCTURE, BUDGET, FINANCE, AND CONTRACTING. CHARTER AMENDMENT LA. Shall the City Charter be amended to: establish a capital infrastructure plan and two-year budget cycle for the City; increase the authority of the Director of Public Works and allow for the elimination of or changes to the Board of Public Works; remove restrictions prohibiting the City from engaging in business enterprises and mortgaging City-owned property; and change certain contracting rules and procedures?
A YES vote means: LA's charter would create a capital infrastructure plan and a two-year budget cycle, give the Director of Public Works more authority and allow the Board of Public Works to be changed or eliminated, remove bans on City business enterprises and mortgaging City property, and change some contracting rules.
A NO vote means: LA's charter rules on budgeting, Public Works, City business enterprises, mortgaging property and contracting would stay as they are.
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to the City Attorney's June 16, 2026 report, this measure groups Charter changes the Rules Committee advanced for the November 2026 ballot, most of them numbered Charter Reform Commission (CRC) recommendations, including the Public Works Director, a capital improvement program, and contracting rules.

According to the Chief Legislative Analyst's impartial summary, it would move the City to a two-year budget cycle, require a capital infrastructure plan, shift powers from the Board of Public Works to the Director of Public Works and let the Council change or eliminate the Board by ordinance, remove the Charter bans on mortgaging City property and running commercial enterprises, and change certain bidding and contracting-form rules.

The City Administrative Officer estimates $4 million to $6 million in one-time costs for the budget cycle and infrastructure plan; the effects of the other changes cannot be quantified at this time.

The City Council passed the election ordinance (No. 188980) on June 30, 2026.

Put on the ballot by Los Angeles City Council, June 30, 2026 (Council File 26-1100-S11; Ordinance No. 188980).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Los Angeles Measure LA mean?: LA's charter would create a capital infrastructure plan and a two-year budget cycle, give the Director of Public Works more authority and allow the Board of Public Works to be changed or eliminated, remove bans on City business enterprises and mortgaging City property, and change some contracting rules.
What does a NO vote on City of Los Angeles Measure LA mean?: LA's charter rules on budgeting, Public Works, City business enterprises, mortgaging property and contracting would stay as they are.
How many votes does City of Los Angeles Measure LA need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on City of Los Angeles Measure LA?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Los Angeles County ballot.

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