Enumerated; number, term and manner of election; wards.
Riverside City Charter, art. IV, § 400
in effectSec. 400. - Enumerated; number, term and manner of election; wards.
(a) The elective officers of the City shall consist of a City Council of seven members, elected from wards, and a Mayor elected from the City at large, at the times and in the manner provided in this Charter, who shall serve for a term of four years and until their respective successors qualify. The terms of all officials, so elected, shall be deemed to have commenced on the fifth Tuesday following the general municipal election.
(b) The members of the City Council shall be nominated and elected by wards by the registered voters of the respective wards only. One member of the City Council shall be elected by each ward, and only the registered voters of each ward shall vote for the member of the City Council to be elected by that ward. In those wards where there are more than two candidates, only a candidate receiving a majority of the total votes cast for the office shall be declared elected.
(c) If in an election for a member of the City Council for any ward, or for the office of Mayor, no candidate receives a majority of the total votes cast for the office, the City Council shall immediately upon the determination of that fact, call a special election to be held on the same day as the statewide election of that same year, consistent with the general election date set by the State. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the office in the general municipal election shall be declared the candidates for the special election.
(d) Notwithstanding the paragraph above, if in the June 8, 2021, election for members of the City Council for Wards 2, 4, and 6, no candidate receives a majority of the total votes cast for the office, the City Council shall immediately upon the determination of that fact, call a special election to be held on November 2, 2021. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the office in the June 8, 2021, election shall be declared the candidates for the special election.
(e) Officials elected at the general municipal election shall take office on the second Tuesday following completion of the canvass, but in no event later than the fifth Tuesday following the general municipal election. Officials elected at any other election shall take office on the second Tuesday following completion of the canvass, but in no event later than the fifth Tuesday following the election.
(f) The qualifications of candidates and electors and the procedure governing general municipal elections shall apply to any special election called pursuant to this section and the notice of election shall be published at least thirty days prior to the date of such special election.
(Char. Am. of 11- 3-2020(2))
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICICH_ARTIVCICOMA_S400ENNUTEMAELWAFetched: 11/1/2026