Voters in Laguna Beach could become the latest to decide on term limits for their elected city council members in next year’s general election.
It comes after resident Mike Morris and other volunteers collected over 2,200 valid signatures for a ballot initiative that would implement two consecutive 4-year term limits to serve on the city council followed by a two-year hiatus before they can run again.
At their 5 p.m. meeting Tuesday, city council members in Laguna Beach – one of the few towns in OC that doesn’t have term limits – will decide to put the measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
If the measure is adopted by more than half of the voters, the limits would apply prospectively meaning the term count for current city council members would reset to zero and they would be able to serve two more terms before the required hiatus.
Currently, Laguna Beach City Council members serve four year terms but are not limited to how many terms they can serve on the dais.
Three City Council members – including Mayor Alex Rounaghi – are serving in their first term of office. Councilwoman Sue Kempf is serving in her second term being first elected in 2018.
City Councilman Bob Whalen was first elected in 2012. His term ends in 2028.
Officials will decide on putting the measure on next year’s ballot as three Orange County cities are making adjustments to their campaign finance regulations.
[Read: Three OC Cities Eye Changing Campaign Finance Laws Ahead of 2026 Elections]
It also comes as officials in Costa Mesa and Fullerton explore putting tax increase measures on the Nov. 2026 ballot as cities across the region grapple with increasing costs and decreasing revenues.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.