About the vote count
As you watch these results, keep in mind:
- As of Friday, Nov. 15, Orange County voters had returned nearly 1.4 million ballots and 1.36 million had been tallied .
- The county has about 1.9 million voters considered to be active.
Get full results:
Keep in mind that in tight races the winner may not be determined for days or weeks after Election Day. This is normal. Here's why .
In Orange County vote updates will the released each weekday by 5 p.m. until the last official results are posted.
In California, ballots postmarked on or before Nov. 5 are counted toward the results as long as they arrive within seven days of the election. The California Secretary of State's Office is scheduled to certify the final vote on Dec. 13.
What is at stake in this race
Four City Council spots were up for grabs. This is Irvine’s first election since Measure D passed earlier this year. Previously the councilmembers, like the mayor, were voted into office by all residents — called at-large elections. Now, members will instead be elected only by residents of their own districts. Measure D also expanded the number of seats on the council from four to six. Supporters say the changes will lead to better representation for constituents.
Why this race mattered
The winners will join the council at a time of great change: The city is moving forward with plans to convert an old asphalt factory into a nature preserve surrounded by over 1,200 new homes. And the city has ambitious goals for confronting climate change: The nation’s first all electric hospital is set to open in Irvine in 2025. The city is also exploring banning plastic takeout containers and going all electric in new construction , which puts Irvine at odds with a federal ruling, as federal law states only the U.S. government can set energy-efficiency standards for appliances.
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Scott Schmerelson was unanimously elected Tuesday to lead the LAUSD board after defeating a well-funded challenger in November’s election. -
Nguyen was able to take office weeks early to fill the vacancy caused Do’s resignation. -
Nathan Hochman succeeds George Gascón, known as the godfather of progressive prosecutors.
On another front: Rent has been on the rise in Orange County and Irvine is one of the pricier areas, with the average one-bedroom apartment going for over $2,500 per month. This is sure to be a hot button issue for the next mayor as they consider future land zoning and development. (In a recent UC Irvine poll, over a third of respondents said they were considering leaving Orange County for a variety of reasons; but the biggest was the high cost of housing.) The city is also still reeling from a recent federal corruption investigation, which found that the city failed to disclose all of the lobbyist work going on at city hall. Needless to say, tightening lobbying regulations will be a focus for the next term.
Go deeper on the issues
Will Irvine tighten lobbying rules? (Voice of OC)
Irvine approves plans to build its first shelter for those who are unhoused (Voice of OC)
Residents say Orange County is too expensive, lacks affordable housing (LA Times)
