Recently released results from a public opinion survey showed majority support for a ballot measure to impose term limits on City Council members in East Palo Alto, according to city officials.
The survey was commissioned by the city to evaluate resident perspectives on introducing term limits, an issue that will go before voters in November. The measure proposes limiting council members to no more than three consecutive terms in office, after which council members must take a two-year break if they want to run again.
The survey asked 260 likely November voters in East Palo Alto to answer whether the measure should be adopted. About 79% of the sample indicated a “yes” response, with 55% of respondents saying “definitely yes,” 18% saying “probably yes,” and 5% responding as undecided but leaning toward “yes.”
About 16% of the respondents said “no,” with 9% answering “definitely no,” 7% saying “probably no,” and 1% answering as undecided but leaning toward “no.”
“I’ve lived here my whole life. I’ve never seen this city agree on anything by that margin.”
Mayor Webster Lincoln
The survey asked respondents from a variety of demographics, including Democrats and Republicans, men and women, and voters across different age groups, racial identities, and education levels.
Support for the measure “held steady” across every group tested, according to the city.
“I’ve lived here my whole life,” said Mayor Webster Lincoln in a social media post. “I’ve never seen this city agree on anything by that margin.”
City council members have differed in attitudes toward the measure, with Vice Mayor Ruben Abrica and Councilmember Carlos Romero previously arguing that it could draw voter attention away from a bond measure to fund the creation of a new civic center.
Lincoln and Councilmember Mark Dinan have voiced the strongest support among the council for the measure.
“I campaigned on term limits for City Council,” Lincoln said. “Let’s finish this.”
