Newport Beach council rejects halt to mailing court-ordered ballots; motion fails 3–4

The Newport Beach City Council on Sept. 18 considered a motion to ask the city clerk not to mail court-ordered ballots to military and overseas voters the next day, but the measure failed 3–4.

Council member Weigand moved to request that the city clerk not send out the ballots tomorrow; Mayor Pro Tem Blom seconded. The motion failed and the city clerk announced, "Motion failed 3 to 4 votes," naming council members who opposed as Council member Grant, Mayor Kleinman, Council member Stapleton and Council member Barto. Council member Weigand had warned that "Tomorrow, 400 ballots have to go out," arguing the accelerated timeline could cause confusion because returned ballots would arrive amid ongoing county and statewide elections and because informational materials (pro and con statements) would not go with the initial military/overseas mailings.

Supporters of proceeding said the council previously voted to comply with the writ and that staff and consultants are working to meet legal requirements for a lawful election. After the vote, the council received guidance from city counsel on motions for reconsideration and then adjourned.