Duarte residents to vote on 3 council seats, cannabis ordinance

Voters in Duarte will choose three City Council members on the November ballot headlined by this year’s presidential election, in addition to deciding on retail cannabis.

On Nov. 5 Duarte residents who live in council districts 2, 3 and 7 will elect their local representatives.

The incumbents are Vinh Truong, who represents District 2, Jody Schulz in District 3 and Toney Lewis, District 7. One council member will be selected to fill the seats in each of these districts for a four-year term.

Duarte residents who want to run for office can participate in the nomination period that runs through Aug. 9.

Duarte voters will also consider retail cannabis. Following a 2023 voter initiative, the council on June 25 adopted a resolution to add a Cannabis Retail Sales and Tax Measure to the Nov. 5 General Municipal Election ballot.

“Registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on a measure authorizing the City Council to adopt an ordinance to permit up to two retail cannabis dispensaries in Duarte and to tax cannabis businesses up to 10% of gross receipts,” according to a city statement.

“Prior to making its decision, the City Council held two cannabis workshops and engaged a third-party consultant to research and provide information regarding the potential revenue received from cannabis sales in Duarte, impacts on public safety, and other issues relating to cannabis sales,” officials said.

The Duarte City Council is a seven-member panel, each of whom are directly elected by voters who live in the city.

The current council district boundaries were set on April 12, 2022, following a redistricting process. Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6 are up for election in 2026.

“The council serves as the legislative body for the city and is responsible for establishing city policies, adopting city ordinances and resolutions, holding public hearings, adopting the city’s budget, and authorizing city expenditures,” according to the city.

The council also votes to appoint the city manager, city attorney, commissioners and committee members.

To learn more about the 2024 election, including nomination information, visit the city’s election information page.