In line with our mission to protect the principles of democracy and government that is responsive to its citizens, The League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County calls on the San Mateo City Council to delay no longer and elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The charter clearly states the role and responsibilities of the mayor, including in the case of council vacancies. By not appointing a mayor, the council risks the city's ability to conduct business in an orderly manner, delegitimizes its authority, and sets a dangerous precedent that the council is no longer responsible to its citizens.

 This is not a position undertaken lightly or recently. The League of Women Voters of Central San Mateo County (now the League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County) began a rigorous study of the San Mateo City Charter in 1967. That study culminated in our support of the revised charter approved by San Mateo voters in 1970.

Our position aligns with the San Mateo charter, which calls for the timely election of the mayor. The League position reads: Support a charter for the City of San Mateo which defines the basic structure of government in an orderly and simplified manner, and provides for clearly fixed authority, responsibility, and efficiency in the administration and organization of city government in which the guiding principle is the effective control of city government by citizens.