ELECTION DAY COVERAGE: Continuous updates from the polls in Oakland

While most of the attention on Election Day will focus on Vice President and East Bay native Kamala Harris’ attempt to make history and become the nation’s first woman president, Oakland North will focus on the races that will change the makeup of the Oakland City Council.

Shortly after the polls open at 7 a.m., our reporters will be talking to voters across the city about the council races and measures on the ballot.

Five council seats are up for reelection and only two incumbents are asking voters to return them, which means the council will have at least three fresh faces in January. In addition, voters are being asked to recall both the mayor and the Alameda County district attorney.

 

2:12pm Sankofa United Elementary School, North Oakland (Xavey Bzdek)

Outside Sankofa Elementary school construction buzzes, as cars pass by. Prospective voters amble up the stairs through the entrance, covered in voting signs and posters. 

Shelagh Murry and Chris Deccerra, a former accountant and a labor union employee, stand on the sidewalk outside the school wearing matching I voted stickers. 

Murry said some of the rhetoric she hears is stuff she would have never imagined. “The gender insults, it’s really frightening”

“I feel like things could get really bad,” Murry said, “I think if Trump becomes president it’s going to be a real shitshow.” 

Locally, Murry is concerned about the recall elections in Oakland. She’s particularly worried by allegations that the recalls are funded by Oakland outsiders. 

“I feel like in a crisis maybe we should have the power to recall, but initiating a recall pretty much immediately after a person has been voted in strikes me as a problem,” said Murry. 

“I don’t like that people with a lot of money can override the will of the voters so quickly.” 

 

1 p.m. Voter Eric Huppert weighs in on crime, housing and recalls in Oakland

Eric Huppert, 30, lives in Temescal and is an avid biker in Oakland. This morning, he cycled over to the polling station at Oakland Technical High School to cast his vote.

“I am happy I was able to exercise my right to vote,” Huppert said. “I feel very nervous about how things will go tonight, so there are some jitters for sure.”

With a focus on addressing crime and recalls for Mayor Sheng Tao and District Attorney Pamela Price, Huppert said he believes the housing was not as much of a focal point on this year’s ballot.

“It feels like the issue of crime and recall has overshadowed that issue– and housing is a more important issue to focus our political energy on,” Huppert said.

Reporting by Jack Hildebrand

12 p.m. Incumbent Councilmember Noel Gallo continues campaign efforts in District 5

_{Incumbent Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo walked within district 5 on the Election Day. – (WanYu Yao)}

Incumbent Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo is conducting precinct walking within District 5 with his wife and daughter, visiting churches or schools alongside the 34th and 33rd Avenues in the neighborhood. They talked to the residents and sent flyers and door hangers to get them out to vote.

Oakland North reached out to the other two candidates, Senior Policy Advisor Erin Armstrong and the Business Owner Dominic Prado. Armstrong responded that on Election Day, she plans to stay at home with a small group of family, friends and volunteers for a gathering. Prado, meanwhile, will be preparing for his cooking work instead of running campaign events.

Reporting by WanYu Yao

 

11:37 a.m. Nerves run high at Beth Eden Baptist Church

_{Voting Directions on the Wall of Beth Eden Church, West Oakland. (Xavey Bzdek)}

The sun cast a long shadow behind the “vote here” sign near the Beth Eden Baptist Church parking lot. Nerves were high for many, but most believed the elections were a chance for them to do their part and participate in their democracy by sharing their voice.

Psychologist Anjali George said although she feels that local politicians should stay in their positions and do their jobs, she decided to vote “yes” to recall Mayor Sheng Thao. 

“It’s more the allegations of maybe her using her power and influence in ways that were suspicious,” George said. 

Reporting by Xavey Bzdeck

 

Oakland North will provide continuous coverage through Election Day and night, with coverage continuing until the votes are certified in December. Follow us here, on X (@northoaklandnow) and on Instagram (@oaklandnorthnews).

Information about how to vote and where to vote, including same-day registration, is available on the county election site.

Daniela X. Sandoval contributed to this story

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INTERACTIVE MAP: Find a polling place near an Oakland BART station