Measure G

San José Police Auditor, Planning Commission, Redistricting

CITY OF SAN JOSÉ—Would amend the Charter of the City of San José to expand the Independent Police Auditor’s oversight, including review of officer-involved shootings and use-of-force incidents causing death or great bodily injury, review of department-initiated investigations against officers, and other technical amendments; increase the Planning Commission to 11 members with the City Council appointing one member from each Council District and one “at-large” member; and allow the City Council to establish timelines for redistricting when Census results are late. Measure G requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.

Fiscal Impact: No fiscal impact has been submitted for Measure G.

Next Santa Clara County Measure: Measure H

See Endorsements for Measure G
In Depth:

Measure G would make three separate changes to the Charter of the City of San José:

1. Independent Police Auditor (IPA). Currently, the Charter specifies the IPA’s duties are:

  • Review complaints from members of the public against police officers to determines if the investigation was complete, thorough, objective and fair;
  • Make recommendations regarding San Jose Police department policies and procedures from its review of investigations; and
  • Conduct outreach to educate the public on the IPA’s role and assist the community on investigation procedures.

Measure G would amend the IPA’s duties to include:

  • Review administrative investigations initiated by the Police Department against police officers;
  • Permit the IPA to review unredacted police records related to officer-involved shootings and use of force incidents resulting in death or great bodily injury, even without a complaint, and review redacted police records if certain criteria are met, in order to make recommendations to the Police Department on policies and procedures.

2. Planning Commission. Currently, the Planning Commission is composed of 7 at-large members appointed by the City Council. Measure G would increase the Planning Commission to 11 members with one member appointed by the Council from each Council District and one at-large member. To allow for staggered terms, the eighth and ninth members would serve for a term ending June 30, 2022, and the tenth and eleventh members would serve for a term ending June 30, 2024.

3. Redistricting. The Charter establishes the redistricting process for Council Districts following the completion of the Census and requires the Council to appoint an Advisory member by February 1st in the year after the Census. The Advisory Commission is to study and make recommendations on District boundaries, hold three public hearings concerning its recommendations, and submit a report to the Council within 120 days of appointment. The Charter requires the Council to consider this report and adopt ordinances to redistrict District boundaries by October 31 in the year after the Census.

Measure G would amend the Charter to permit the Council, by ordinance, to adjust the timeline to enact the redistricting ordinance if the results of the Census are delivered after April 1st, and permit the Council to establish the timeframe for the Advisory Commission to submit its report and recommendations. If the Council does not establish a specific timeframe, however, the Advisory Commission will have to submit its report to the Council within 120 days following appointment.

Source: City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure G

Official Resources

Santa Clara County Elections Office

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Services: Find vote centers, ballot drop-off locations, and more.

Nonpartisan Analysis

San Jose, California, Measure G, Police Auditor Powers, Redistricting Procedures, and Planning Commission Charter Amendment (November 2020). Ballotpedia.