A primary ballot measure in Newport Beach that proposed electing future mayors rather than appointing them has failed.
A 58.9 percent majority of voters shot down the proposal in the June 7 California primary, according to unofficial election results. About 9,000 voters opposed Measure B, compared to approximately 6,300 who supported it.
Under the current system, the city council votes to appoint one of its own seven councilors to serve as mayor for one year. Measure B proposed to reduce the number of council districts from seven to six and allow local residents to vote directly for the mayor in an at-large election and lengthen the mayoral terms to four years….