SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The local ballot measure that would allow the San Diego City Auditor to use outside legal help instead of the city attorney appears to be on track to pass after early results were released Tuesday night.
Measure A, which was placed on the ballot by the San Diego City Council, would amend the city’s charter to allow the auditor’s office to retain independent counsel for certain cases when officials believe the elected city attorney may have a conflict of interest.
Currently, the elected city attorney is designated as the sole legal advisor for all aspects of the city government, according to current city attorney Mara Elliot.
The exact question on the ballot asked to voters in the city of San Diego is:
“Shall Charter section 40 be amended and section 40.2 be added to authorize the City Auditor and Audit Committee to use outside legal counsel instead of the elected City Attorney, subject to certain conditions, when the Audit Committee determines such use is in the public interest?”
A “yes” vote for the measure would approve the charter amendment to allow the city’s auditor and audit committee to use outside legal help in the course of their work. It will need a simple majority, or 50% of the vote, to pass.
In the results released around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, the charter amendment had about 66.4% of voters casting their vote to approve the measure.
The earliest batch of results were largely from mail-in ballots, those submitted via drop boxes prior to Monday, March 4 and other early voting opportunities.
Unofficial results will continue to roll-in throughout the remainder of the week and into next, as the county Registrar of Voters office continues to count ballots cast either in-person or mailed in on election day.
The results will not be considered official until they are certified by the Registrar, which will occur sometime before April 4.
FOX 5/KUSI is following the results of California’s primary throughout election night. Check back for real-time updates.