Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Live results in the special election for Irvine City Council District 5
Irvine residents in District 5 are electing a new representative.
(
Erin Hauer / Dan Carino
/
LAist
)
About the vote count
-
It could take several days for this election to be called. As you watch these results keep in mind:
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked April 15.
- The election is scheduled to be certified no later than May 9.
- You can click here to track your ballot and make sure it gets counted.
What is at stake in this race
Residents in Irvine’s District 5 are headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for a new city councilmember: Three candidates are vying for the seat that was vacated when Larry Agran won the mayoral election in November. The person who wins the most votes will serve through the end of 2026.
Support for LAist comes from
Newcomers Betty Martinez Franco and Dana Cornelius are on the ballot, along with former Councilmember Anthony Kuo. You can read more about their campaigns and platforms here.
Why this race matters
This is a big year for one of Orange County's biggest cities:
Irvine has committed to lofty green goals, including attaining carbon neutrality by 2030. Its $1 billion Great Park expansion is underway, and it has pulled out of the Orange County library system and will now oversee its own libraries, raising concerns about whether politics will play a role in book selection. The city is also seeking to convert an asphalt factory into a 700-acre nature preserve with a residential development of about 1,200 homes.
You can read more about the issues facing the city here.
Map of the district
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist