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3w ago

Oakland Votes in Critical Special Election for Mayor and Fiscal Reform

Residents are selecting a new mayor, councilmember, and deciding on a sales tax increase as the city grapples with governance challenges, budget deficits, and public safety concerns.

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If Measure A fails, it will be “a major upset.”
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Overview

  • Oakland voters are choosing between Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor in a competitive mayoral race, with both candidates emphasizing public safety and fiscal reform.
  • Measure A, proposing a sales tax increase to address a $140 million budget deficit, is also on the ballot, sparking debates over the city's financial management.
  • The election includes a vote for a new District 2 councilmember to replace Nikki Fortunato Bas, who moved to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
  • Turnout has been low so far, with only 20% of mail-in ballots returned by Tuesday morning, but officials hope for higher participation on Election Day.
  • The use of ranked-choice voting will determine the mayoral winner, with results expected to take days if no candidate secures a majority of first-choice votes.