Santa Monica's Measure GG held an unofficial lead of about 5,000 votes as of the Nov. 4 ballot count update, with 16,714 "yes" votes (58.78%) to 11,719 "no" votes (41.22%), the Santa Monica Mirror reported Nov. 5.

The measure needs a simple majority to pass, according to California Choices. Yes is above that threshold in the current count, but the results are unofficial. County election officials are still processing remaining vote-by-mail ballots, provisional submissions and conditional voter registrations, the Mirror reported.

The Nov. 4 totals reflect multiple ballot processing runs that day by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, according to the Mirror. The exact as-of time for the count was not stated. The official LA County results portal listed its status as "election night tally in progress" but was not accessible for direct verification at the time of this report.

Under California law, mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 can arrive as late as Nov. 10 and still be counted, according to Patch's Santa Monica voter guide. No outcome call, concession or certified result has been reported for Measure GG.

What Measure GG would change

The measure would make five changes to the Santa Monica city charter, according to the city's election page:

  • Affirm Santa Monica's just-cause eviction laws.
  • Allow Rent Control Board commissioners to serve up to three terms, including appointed service.
  • Increase the cap on rent-controlled unit registration fees annually.
  • Clarify the board's authority to regulate deadlines for deciding rent adjustment petitions.
  • Permit eviction from affordable housing units when tenants are ineligible or fail to establish eligibility.

A "yes" vote approves the charter changes. A "no" vote leaves existing provisions unchanged. California Choices said the measure is not likely to have a fiscal impact.

The divide

Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) supports the measure, the Santa Monica Lookout reported. But opposition grew in the weeks before the election, particularly from tenants in deed-restricted housing.

Maria Loya, a Pico Neighborhood Association member, founded a new advocacy group called Renters United after an Oct. 2 town hall about the measure, the Westside Current reported. Loya told the Westside Current that some Community Corp Santa Monica residents expressed "a lot of anger" over the measure.

Renters United says Measure GG "adds two new grounds for eviction that target low-income renters," according to the Lookout.

What happens next

The city's election page states the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk planned to process ballots 24 hours a day from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6. Updated results are posted at results.lavote.gov. The city's election calendar lists a tentative council meeting to install new officers on Dec. 8.