Browsing: Politics & Elections

Progressives are on track to flip Santa Ana’s ruling city council majority – one backed primarily by the police union – in a town that’s been plagued by questions about Flock cameras, police use of force and ICE raids. 

Irvine could be getting one new city council member, according to Wednesday’s 5 p.m. election results from the OC Registrar of Voters.

Irvine residents could be overhauling the way they elect city council members starting in 2028 as voters consider adopting a new system known as ranked choice voting.

Wednesday’s 5 p.m. election results showed incumbent Austin Lumbard led the Tustin mayoral race by about 51% over City Councilwoman Letitia Clark at 49% – a difference of 231 votes making it one of the closest contests in OC this year.  

Republicans are in a series of tight races to hang onto their seats along Orange County’s coast against Democrat challengers who weren’t far behind in the latest rounds of ballot tallies Wednesday night. 

Today is the last chance for residents across Orange County to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm election and decide on a handful of local tax measures, a host of city council races, two races for the OC Board of Supervisors as well as several state and congressional races. 

The race for OC Supervisor has been one of the most expensive in county history this year, with special interest groups like unions and lobbying organizations spending millions of dollars on two seats for supervisor. 

For over a year, families in Santa Ana and across OC have been reeling from the impacts of widespread deportation raids and President Donald Trump’s federal immigration crackdown that saw the National Guard occupy the streets of the city.

Santa Ana City Council members made a splash Saturday to celebrate a new aquatic center at Memorial Park, publicizing photos of themselves alongside local kids enjoying the city’s new public pool just weeks ahead of the upcoming Nov. 3 election.

In the wake of a growing structural budget deficit, several candidates running for a seat on Irvine’s city council are embracing the idea of an independent auditor for the city.