-
As you watch these results, keep in mind:
- As of Friday, Nov. 15, L.A. election officials said more than 3.73 million ballots had been returned so far.
- An estimated 79,400 remained to be counted.
- There are more than 5.7 million registered voters in L.A. County
- 2.1 million of those registered votes live in the City of L.A.
-
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 L.A. County, additional results, which includes mail-in votes received on or after Election Day as well as provisional ballots, will be released following this schedule:
-
Mon, Nov. 18 | Tues, Nov. 19 | Fri, Nov. 22 | Tues, Nov. 26
-
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. County election officials must certify the results by Dec. 5, and the California Secretary of State's Office must certify the statewide vote by Dec. 13.
What is at stake in this race
Measure US is the largest bond ever proposed in LAUSD, though district staff say it represents just 11% of total funding needed to update aging schools from San Pedro to the San Fernando Valley.
“Improvements to schools provide safe and updated opportunities for students and better working environments for our staff,” said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho in August. “Upgraded schools can also create greater pride in our neighborhoods, in our communities, and help improve the safety of our school neighborhoods.”
Critics of the funding measure point out that the district is asking for more money after two decades of declining enrollment.
Make It Make Sense: Election 2024 Edition
Why this race mattered
Los Angeles Unified is a sprawling district that includes more than 1,000 schools. The district estimates that at least 60% of its facilities are 50 years old — or older— and more than 100 schools are at least a century old.
California does not have a steady stream of funding to support the construction and upkeep of public schools. Instead, school facilities funding primarily comes from two sources — state and local bonds.
Measure US is the latter. The district seeks to upgrade and repair facilities that serve more than 400,000 students. By the district’s estimate, 50,000 HVAC units, 18 million square feet of roofs, and 2 million square feet of plumbing need replacing. Other priorities include better accessibility for students with disabilities, energy efficiency, and green space. (That work can take a while.)
Research links higher student achievement to better quality schools — it’s easier to learn in clean, climate-controlled, well-lit classrooms.
Follow the money
Go deeper on the issue
- Measure US — Read the full text of LAUSD’s bond measure as it was presented to the board.
- California Proposition 2: Funding school facilities — A state measure that would provide matching funds if Measure US passes
- LAUSD Board of Education — Watch the August 7, 2024 meeting where the board approved putting the bond on the ballot.
- LAUSD Bond Oversight Committee — An independent 15-member panel that oversees how the district’s bond money is spent. You can read reports on the spending of previous bond measures.
- What is a bond? Why am I always being asked to vote for one?
- Property taxes are high. Will California voters pay more for school repairs?
Did LAist help you vote? Member support made these voter guides possible.
Our election coverage is focused on you: helping you understand the results of these races and their impact on our everyday lives. And we don’t stop there, even after results are in, you need a source of trusted reporting that will hold those in power to account and shine a light on issues important to our communities.
Even after the last ballot is cast, LAist reporting and voting guides are here for you. But we need to hear from you now with your support to know that this work we’re doing is important.
We cannot do this essential work without your help. We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
At a time when the need for local journalism has never been greater, many newsrooms are facing cutbacks, including LAist. Member support — your support — is what will sustain a free press in Southern California.
LAist’s mission is to be here for you, so please be here for us now with a donation to power our trusted local reporting. Step up right now and make the choice to give. Because that’s exactly what it is — a choice. It's a choice with consequences. If readers do not choose to step up and donate, the future of fact-based news in Southern California will not be as strong.
No matter what happens in the world, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust.
Thank you for your generous support.
Sincerely,
