As early returns trickle in, Oakland voters and candidates wait

By Casey Smith, Wyatt Kroopf, Annie Berman, Ricky Rodas, Max Brimelow, Ali DeFazio, Katey Rusch, Mickey Capper, Drew Costley, Jessica Alvarenga, Sarah Trent and Julie Chang Posted November 6, 2018 9:00 pm

In a packed home in the Grand Lake neighborhood, supporters of Mayor Libby Schaaf and her campaign’s volunteers nibbled on quesadillas and checked back and forth between CNN and the front door to see when...

Made in Oakland: Four “maker city” stories in four objects

By Jacqui Ipp, Alicia Vargas, Alissa Greenberg and Lena Dakessian Posted February 26, 2015 11:00 am

In her first appearance as Oakland's mayor-elect, Libby Schaaf held a press conference wearing a striking red dress, a necklace of the Oakland tree, a bamboo earrings and riding -- unforgettably -- in a fire-snorting...

From an Oakland warehouse of even weirder things: Schaaf’s fire-snorting mayoral snail

By Jacqui Ipp Posted February 24, 2015 5:39 pm

The Jules Verne-ish, Dr. Doolittle-ish, 12’6 foot high, 18 foot long, 3000 pound, glow-in-the-dark, fire-blowing, motorized, iron snail, was built atop the skeleton of a 1966 VW Bug. But it came from a dream --...

A screenshot of the Alameda County Registrar of Voter's map of the recent mayoral election in Oakland.

Registrar’s map gives nuanced glimpse into Oakland mayoral results

By Joshua Escobar and Alissa Greenberg Posted November 20, 2014 12:27 pm

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters recently released a map that casts a new light on the recent mayoral race in Oakland, which suggests that the outcome was more complex than a simple winner and...

Cost Per Vote Figures for the 2014 Oakland Mayoral Candidates. Peter Liu, Nancy Sidebotham, Ken Houston, Eric Wilson, and Jason “Shake” Anderson did not file.

Oakland’s mayoral battle is over: How much did candidates pay for your vote?

By Nigel Manuel, Nadine Sebai and Chloe Shi Posted November 17, 2014 5:48 pm

To determine how much the Oakland mayoral candidates spent to earn your first-choice vote, Oakland North analyzed what they spent and how many votes they got in this year's election.

Aimee Eng is the school board member-elect for District 2. Photo courtesy of Aimee Eng.

Three new school board members elected

By James Pace-Cornsilk and Laura Klivans Posted November 7, 2014 6:06 pm

Oakland Unified School District welcomes three unofficial new school board directors.

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters (ROV) receives ballots from a total of 792 precincts on Election Day.

The Journey of the Ballot

By Alicia Vargas Posted November 7, 2014 4:38 pm

Oakland North followed the journey of a ballot on Election Day and the intricacies that take place behind the scenes at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office in order for votes to become election...

Maria Zimmerman celebrates the COVA High School charter approval with her children, all COVA students.

Oakland school board approves two new charter schools

By Romin Johnson Posted November 6, 2014 4:09 pm

The Oakland Unified School District Board of Education approved two charter school petitions Wednesday night: Castlemont Junior Academy and the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts (COVA) High School.

Volunteers at the Lift Up Oakland campaign headquarters work to support Measure FF to increase the minimum wage. Photo by Alex Kekauouhah.

Voters say yes to boosting the minimum wage, higher sales tax and reclassifying some felonies

By Alyssa Jeong Perry, Alex Kekauoha and Gina Pollack Posted November 5, 2014 4:14 pm

As election results rolled in after the polls closed last night, advocates for several major policy changes celebrated victories at the state, county and local levels, including a statewide initiative that reduced penalties for certain...

Libby Schaaf, declaring victory and thanking supporters at a news conference Wednesday. Photo by Jacqui Ipp.

Libby Schaaf celebrates Oakland mayoral victory: “an awesome city”

By Sasha Lekach, Molly Pierce, Jacqui Ipp and Hanna Qassis Posted November 5, 2014 4:14 pm

In an elated victory declaration that culminated with her departure inside a rolling, flame-snorting metal snail, the still-unofficial mayor-elect Libby Schaaf was all smiles at a Lake Merritt celebration this afternoon.

Ballots from Tuesday's elections included many 'yes' votes for Measure N, the school tax designed to help Oakland students better prepare for future jobs. Photo by Melina Tupa.

Oakland schools tax Measure N approved overwhelmingly

By James Pace-Cornsilk Posted November 5, 2014 12:56 pm

Measure N, a schools tax designed to better help Oakland students prepare for future jobs, passed with the necessary margin of votes on Tuesday.

Mayor-elect Libby Schaaf, right, is shown with husband, Salvatore Fahey, son, Dominic, 9, and daughter, Lena, 7, after casting her ballot at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office, Nov. 4, 2014. Photo by Deana Mitchell.

Libby Schaaf declares victory, minimum wage hike and parcel taxes pass

By Joshua Escobar, Molly Pierce and Alissa Greenberg Posted November 5, 2014 11:51 am

As results from Tuesday's election continue to come in, mayoral candidate Libby Schaaf claims an early lead in first choice voting. Additionally, Measures N, Z, BB and FF all receive the necessary votes to pass.

Paula Hawthorn walks down West MacArthur Boulevard on Election Day hoping to encourage voters to get to the polls.

Volunteers go door-to-door to get out the vote

By Molly Pierce Posted November 4, 2014 7:46 pm

In an election expected to have unprecedentedly low turnout in Alameda County, every vote is crucial to those working on “get out the vote” campaigns.

Election official Maria Cabahug, left, gives instructions to Ben Oigara, who voted for the first time as a U.S. citizen at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office today. Oigara came to the States from Kenya in 2001. Photo by Deana Mitchell.

Historic day for new Oakland voters

By Mallory Pickett, Hanna Qassis and Laura Klivans Posted November 4, 2014 5:16 pm

As Oakland residents take to the polls on election day, one group casts their vote -- for the first time.

Current Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, left, shares a moment with her daughter, Lailan Huen, after casting her vote at the Alamada County Registrar of Voters Office. Photo by Deana Mitchell.

Oakland voters, candidates turn out for Election Day 2014

By Lena Dakessian, Alissa Greenberg and Jacqui Ipp Posted November 4, 2014 3:53 pm

With fifteen mayoral candidates and more than a handful of measures on this year's ballot, Oakland voters make their voices heard.

Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb, the main force behind Measure CC, speaks to a reporter.

Kalb urges yes on CC, beefing up Oakland’s Ethics Commission

By Hanna Qassis Posted November 4, 2014 8:37 am

On election night, Oakland voters will weigh in on Measure CC, a charter reform measure designed to provide the Oakland Public Ethics Commission with increased powers and responsibilities in monitoring City Hall.

Oakland North

Election 2014