Election 2010
The Green Party’s Laura Wells was one of four other candidates who took a stab at the governor’s seat. Wells is a longtime Oakland resident, with a background in both citizen-activism and business. On election night, she gathered with other local Greens to close out the election season at La Estrellita Café and Bar in East Oakland.
Early returns tonight showed that Jerry Brown was winning his campaign for governor of California—36 years after he won the office the first time—by defeating businesswoman Meg Whitman, who spent at least five times more money, but could not win the hearts of voters.
California voters came out for and against some of the most controversial propositions and measures in recent memory. Proposition 19, which would have legalized recreational use of marijuana, was rejected by a slim margin statewide despite support in Alameda County. Prop 19 proponent Richard Lee has publicly vowed to bring another initiative before voters in 2012. Proposition 23, which would have suspended air pollution regulation until unemployment figures improved, was rejected by a large margin, locally and statewide. Voters’ rejection of…
Measure L, the $195 parcel tax that would have raise money for teacher salary increases, was receiving 58 percent approval in early returns tonight, with just over 10 percent of precincts reporting. But that fell short of the two-thirds supermajority required in California to pass any new tax increase.
The polls have closed after Oakland’s first Election Day under ranked-choice voting, and it may be a few more days before residents will know who their next mayor will be. But former California State Senate President Don Perata has taken the lead in the first ballot count.
Kate Hoffman spent the day as a poll worker at the Grand Lake Gardens polling station in Oakland’s Grand Lake neighborhood. As the final voters filed in Tuesday evening, Hoffman spoke about how the day went.
On election day, City Attorney John Russo spoke at a Yes on 19 rally. If passed, Proposition 19 would legalize recreational use of marijuana for adults.
Polls have officially closed in California. Oakland North has reporters in the field submitting photos and content for up-to-date election coverage. Check back for the most current politics news in Oakland as the election results roll in.
Members of the Oakland Police Department cordoned off several streets on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for some pre-planned election night parties, as well as other less formal street celebrations, as media gathered in downtown Oakland to cover two of the nation’s most high-profile electoral contests — the California governor’s race and the fate of Proposition 19.