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Huntington Beach voters push back at the polls against efforts to politicize the city's beloved libraries
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Erin Hauer and Dan Carino
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LAist
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ABOUT THE VOTE COUNT
About the vote count
- It could take several days for this election to be officially called. As you watch these results keep in mind:
- There are just over 136,000 registered voters in Huntington Beach.
- Vote-by-mail ballots needed to be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday June 10th, and must be received by the county's registrar by June 17.
- The election is scheduled to be certified no later than July 4.
- A measure must win more than 50% of the vote in order to be successful.
- You can click here to track your ballot and make sure it gets counted in Orange County.
Huntington Beach voters appear to have thwarted the City Council’s efforts to exert more control over books in the public library.
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Two measures on the ballot in Tuesday’s special election are winning by wide margins.
What's at stake?
Measure A repeals a City Council ordinance that created a board of political appointees with the power to decide which books are appropriate for minors.
Measure B restricts the city’s ability to privatize the libraries.
City Councilmember Chad Williams, who funded much of the opposition, appeared to concede defeat on social media Wednesday morning.
Former City Councilmember Dan Kalmick, who authored the ballot measures, applauded the win.
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"This was a made up issue that cost the city millions of dollars,” he said, referring to the cost of the election, campaigning and city staff time spent on the issue.
Why it matters
The libraries became a flashpoint in the traditionally conservative beach town with a proudly all-MAGA City Council. Those who want more control over the libraries argued that kids have access to sexually explicit books while others say the real target is books with diverse viewpoints, including LGBTQ themes and characters.
Controversy over 'PORN' signs
In the run-up to the special election, Williams posted campaign signs around Huntington Beach reading “Protect our kids from PORN.” The backlash was immediate. Books cited by critics as too sexually explicit for children include those about sex ed, puberty and queer identity.
Go deeper on the issue: The LAist guide to Huntington Beach’s special election on public libraries
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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