(a) (1) When an argument in favor and an argument against a measure have been selected to be printed in the voter information guide, the elections official shall send a copy of the argument in favor of the measure to the authors of the argument against the measure and a copy of an argument against the measure to the authors of the argument in favor of the measure.

(2) The author or a majority of the authors of an argument relating to a city measure may prepare and submit a rebuttal argument or may authorize in writing another person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument.

(3) A rebuttal argument shall not exceed 250 words.

(4) A rebuttal argument relating to a city measure shall be filed with the elections official no later than 10 days after the final filing date for primary arguments.

(5) A rebuttal argument relating to a city measure shall not be signed by more than five persons, shall be printed in the same manner as a direct argument, and shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.

(b) Subdivision (a) applies only if, not later than the day on which the legislative body calls an election, the legislative body adopts its provisions by majority vote, in which case subdivision (a) applies at the next ensuing municipal election and at each municipal election thereafter, unless later repealed by the legislative body in accordance with the procedures of this subdivision.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 47. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)