Supervisors will vote on April 21 to decide whether to allow voters to consider the proposed package. Under California law, only voters can adopt or amend charter provisions. If approved, the full reform package would go to a public vote in November.

“Today, local governments, especially county governments, are being asked to fill gaps in the social safety net created by failures of leadership at the federal level,” said Kyra Greene, executive director of the Center on Policy Initiatives and one of the speakers Wednesday. “That’s why now more than ever, San Diegans should be doing everything we can to protect and strengthen local democratic institutions.”