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Page 1 of 6 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />STAFF REPORT <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the City Manager <br />DATE: July 27, 2026 <br />SUBJECT <br />Consider opposing State Legislation: SB 1164 (Cervantes) Elections <br />SUMMARY <br />Senate Bill (SB) 1164 (Cervantes) is supported by many groups with whom the City frequently agrees but <br />presents challenges for local governments. The bill proposes to repeal and replace language in the <br />California Voting Rights Act, broadening it to prohibit any election policy or practice by a political <br />subdivision or state agency that results in, is likely to result in, or is intended to cause "voter suppression" <br />(a material disparity in voter participation or impaired ability of a protected class to participate). Such <br />material disparity is still undefined in the law. <br />The proposed legislation would allow the Attorney General – or any aggrieved individual or entity – to sue <br />under expedited pretrial, trial, and appellate procedures, and would require courts to grant preliminary <br />relief affecting an upcoming election whenever the plaintiff is "more likely than not" to succeed and a <br />remedy can be implemented in time. Before suing, a potential plaintiff would be required to send a notice <br />letter, and the subdivision of government in question would generally have 45 days to adopt a remedy <br />(for suppression claims) or pass a resolution to transition to or modify district-based elections (for dilution <br />claims), though several exceptions would let plaintiffs sue immediately. <br />The Governance Sub-Committee reviewed the legislation and recommended that the City Council adopt <br />an “Oppose” position. Since that time, the bill was further amended and, based on the current content <br />and status of the bill, staff recommends the Council now adopt a position of “Oppose Unless Amended.” <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />By motion, adopt an “Oppose Unless Amended” position on State legislation SB 1164 (Cervantes) Elections, <br />and direct staff to finalize and submit a letter communicating the City’s position to the appropriate State <br />legislative representatives. <br />This staff recommendation evolves from the Governance Sub-Committee’s June 29 recommendation to <br />7.D. - Page 1 of 17 <br />289