The campaign for Measure G, the ballot measure to reform Los Angeles County’s governance structure including nearly doubling the size of the current Board of Supervisors, declared victory on Monday, Nov. 11, after nearly a week of ballot counting.
The measure had 51.36% voter approval and 48.64% disapproval, according to the latest vote tally by the L.A. County registrar’s office. It needs only a simple majority to pass.
As of Monday, the registrar’s office had counted more than 3.6 million ballots and estimated that there were 187,300 ballots left to process countywide. At that point, 84,012 more people supported Measure G than opposed it.
LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: See a chart of the latest vote counts
Measure G calls for adding four more county supervisors to the current five-member board and having voters elect a county chief executive officer. Currently, the CEO is appointed by the board. In addition, Measure G calls for the creation of an independent ethics commission.
“The people of Los Angeles County have made history in passing Measure G, ushering in the change necessary for a more effective Los Angeles County,” L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath, who co-authored the measure, said in a statement minutes after the registrar released its Monday update of election returns.
Horvath said the measure will lead to greater accountability and “create a more ethical and representative government fit for the 21st century.”
“This victory means that every community, from the San Fernando Valley to the South Bay, from the San Gabriel Valley to the Antelope Valley, will now have greater access to a government prepared to hear their voices and prioritize their needs,” Horvath said. “This is a victory not only for today, but for generations to come.”
County Supervisors Janice Hahn co-authored the measure with Horvath. Supervisor Hilda Solis supported the effort. But two other supervisors, Holly Mitchell and Kathryn Barger, opposed it.
Supporters of Measure G noted that a handful of previous attempts to change the county’s charter failed.
“This historic victory gives voice to communities who have long been marginalized in the decision-making process,” Sara Sadhwani, a professor of politics at Pomona College, said in a statement. “With a more transparent and responsive governance structure, we’re creating a county government that truly reflects the diversity and needs of its people. This is a win for democracy and for all Angelenos.”
The next vote tally update from the registrar’s office is scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon. The registrar has until Dec. 3 to certify the results of the election.
Meanwhile, here’s a rundown of how other close races in L.A. County are shaping up.
Candidates for California’s 27th Congressional district are: Mike Garcia and George Whitesides. (Courtesy Photo)
U.S. House of Representatives: In California’s 27th Congressional District, Democrat George Whitesides continued to extend his lead over Republican Rep. Mike Garcia. Whitesides had 51.21% of the vote while Garcia had 48.79%, with 6,983 votes (or 2.42 percentage points) separating the two. District 27 represents parts of northern L.A. County, including the high desert communities of Lancaster, Palmdale and Santa Clarita. On Saturday, Whitesides overtook Garcia for the first time since election night. This high-stakes race could help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. As of Monday, Republicans had won 214 seats while Democrats had 204 seats with 17 more races still to be decided. The party with at least 218 seats will have a majority in the House.
Democrats Laura Richardson and Michelle Chambers are vying to replace termed-out state Sen. Steven Bradford. (Courtesy images)
State Senate: In District 35, Laura Richardson continued to lead over Michelle Chambers, though the margin narrowed again on Monday. Richardson had 50.57% of the vote while Chambers had 49.43% in this Democrat v. Democrat battle to replace termed-out state Sen. Steven Bradford. Richardson, of San Pedro, is a housing advocate and small business owner who previously served on the Long Beach City Council and in the state Assembly and U.S. House of Representatives. Chambers, who lives in Compton, is a community justice advocate. She previously served on the Compton City Council and was an aide to then-U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn. Senate District 35 represents residents in South L.A. County. It includes all or parts of Inglewood, Hawthorne, Compton, Carson and San Pedro.
LAUSD school board candidates Dan Chang and Scott Schmerelson. (Courtesy Chang and Schmerelson campaigns)
Los Angeles Unified School District: In the race to represent District 3 constituents on the L.A. Unified school board, incumbent Scott Schmerelson had 51.87% while math teacher Daniel Chang had 48.13% — nearly the same as over the weekend. The winner will represent District 3, which stretches from North Hollywood to Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys and most West San Fernando Valley communities. Schmerelson worked as a principal in L.A. Unified before retiring. He’s been on the school board since 2015. Chang is a teacher at James Madison Middle School in North Hollywood.
Candidates for the Long Beach Community College District Trustee Area 4 seat are Richard “Dick” Gaylord and Ennette Morton. (Courtesy photos)
Long Beach City College: In the race for District 4 on the LBCC District’s Board of Trustees Ennette Morton continued to extend her lead. Morton, a college faculty administrator, had 51.13% of votes tallied so far while opponent Richard “Dick” Gaylord, a businessman and educator, had 48.87%. Morton’s lead grew from 716 votes the day before to 958.
Pasadena Unified School District: Measure EE, a Pasadena school district parcel tax to help fund programs and raise teachers’ salaries, has been gradually increasing its number of supporters. The measure on Monday had 69.06% of the vote. It needs two-thirds majority, or 66.67%, to pass.
Puente Hills Habitat: Measure PH, a bond measure that would boost the budget of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, has been teetering above and below the threshold of the required two-thirds majority, or 66.67%, for passage. On Monday, it had 67.83% approval. The measure, with its funding boost, would allow the Habitat Authority to protect the hills from wildfires, fight illegal dumping and hire more rangers.
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