Woo

Petitioner Michael Woo served two full terms as an elected member of the Los Angeles City Council, from July 1985 to June 1993. He seeks reelection for a third term to commence in July 2001. The city clerk advised him that he was ineligible to seek reelection based on a provision of the new city charter limiting elected city officials to only two terms in office. The provision is identical to a provision of the former charter, except that it omits language expressly stating that only terms commenced on or after July 1, 1993, count toward the two-term limit.

Woo contends the new charter provision should be construed the same as the former charter provision despite the omitted language, which would make him eligible for reelection. He and a registered voter together challenged the city’s rejection of his candidacy by way of petition for writ of mandate in the superior court. The superior court denied the petition, stating that the charter provision is clear on its face and prevents Woo from seeking or serving a third term. Woo then petitioned this court for a writ of mandate.

We conclude that the voters intended to retain the former term limits law without change and did…