Overview

• Oakland voters are deciding on a new mayor, a District 2 city councilmember, and Measure A, a proposed sales tax increase, following the recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao.
• Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor have emerged as the leading mayoral candidates, each offering distinct visions for addressing Oakland's budget deficit and public safety challenges.
• Measure A seeks to raise Oakland's sales tax from 10.25% to 10.75%, potentially generating $30 million annually to address the city's fiscal crisis.
• Ranked-choice voting is being used in the election, which may delay final results as votes are redistributed in multiple rounds until a majority winner is determined.
• The incoming mayor will face governance challenges due to Oakland's city charter, which limits executive powers, complicating efforts to implement swift reforms.