Breadcrumb

Burbank City Council CEM

The Future of Burbank City Council Representation

On November 3, 2026, Burbank voters will consider two measures related to how members of the Burbank City Council are elected.

The Charter Amendment Measure would amend the City’s Charter to provide flexibility in how City Council elections may be conducted in the future. This added flexibility could help the City adapt to changes in state or federal law and reduce the risk of future costly litigation.

The second measure, the By-District Council Elections Measure (Districting Measure), would ask voters whether Burbank should continue using at-large elections or transition to by-district elections for City Council seats.
feature image

The Charter Amendment Measure 

The Charter Amendment Measure would update the City Charter to provide greater flexibility to the Council and the voters for future election methods that best meet the community's needs. This flexibility could also help the City respond to future changes in state or federal law and reduce the risk of future costly litigation. The measure would not automatically establish district elections. Instead, it would remove current Charter restrictions so the City could implement alternative election methods in the future.
feature image

The By-District Council Elections Measure

The Districting Measure will ask voters whether Burbank should continue using at-large elections or transition to district-based elections for City Council seats.In its current at-large system, voters throughout the city vote for all open City Council seats.Under a by-district system, the city would be divided into geographic districts. Each district would be represented by one council member who lives in that area. Voters would only vote once every four years for the City Council member representing the district in which they live, rather than voting every two years for any open council seat citywide.If approved by voters, Districting Measure would implement by-district elections using Map 130. The transition would begin with elections in District 2 and 4 in the November 2028 election and the elections of Districts 1, 3, and 5 in 2030. After 2030, the Council or voters could elect whether to continue with by-district elections or transition to an alternative voting method for Council elections.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes on Charter Amendment Measure, No on Districting Measure 

Burbank voters would continue to elect members of the City Council who represent the entire city, not just specific districts. 

Additionally, the City Council or voters would be able to implement alternative election methods in the future. This added flexibility could also help the City adapt to changes in state or federal law and reduce the risk of future costly litigation. 

No on Charter Amendment Measure, Yes on Districting Measure 
Burbank would continue using its current at-large election system. 

The Districting Measure cannot go into effect without voter approval of the Charter Amendment Measure, which would update the City Charter to allow for by-district elections. 
 

Both Measures Fail
Burbank would continue using its at-large election system for City Council elections. 

Both Measures Pass

Burbank would transition to by-district elections using Map 130. 

The transition would begin with the November 2028 election and conclude in 2030 through staggered elections. 

After 2030, the updated Charter would provide the City with flexibility to implement alternative election methods, such as returning to at-large elections or ranked choice voting. 

As part of a 2026 settlement of a 2023 California Voting Rights Act lawsuit challenging Burbank’s at-large elections, the City agreed to place these measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot to allow its voters to decide how their councilmembers are elected. The City believes allowing voters to decide this issue is both fiscally responsible in avoiding additional litigation expense and respectful of residents' right to determine how their City Council representatives are elected.
 
Under an at-large election system, voters throughout Burbank elect all five City Council members, who represent the City as a whole rather than individual geographic districts. In its at-large system, Burbank has a long history of voters electing candidates that reflect the diversity and broad representation of the community. 
 
The current City Charter requires City Council members to be elected at-large, meaning they represent the entire City, not just a certain geographic area or district.

Because of that requirement, both measures must be approved for Burbank to transition to by-district elections.

One measure updates the City Charter so future changes to how City Council members are elected can legally occur. The other asks voters whether to adopt by-district elections.

 
Current At-Large Elections
Vote every two years for two or three open City Council seats.

By-District Elections (if both measures pass)
Vote once every four years for one City Council member representing your district.
 

District elections would begin in November 2028 if both measures are approved. 

Districts 2 and 4 would hold elections in 2028, with the remaining three districts (1, 3 & 5) holding elections in 2030.  

The Burbank Unified School District recently completed a similar transition from at-large elections to a by-trustee area election system. 

Map 130 is the proposed City Council district map that would be used if voters approve both measures.

The map divides Burbank into five geographic districts. Each district would be represented by one City Council member who must live within the district they represent.

Map 130 was developed through an extensive public process in 2023 that included public hearings, community workshops, public comment, and consideration of numerous draft maps. For more information on the council district formation process, please visit the districting website.

View Map 130 here (PDF).