Santa Monica's Measure VV leads with about 62% of the vote in unofficial partial returns, well above the simple majority it needs to pass. The City of Santa Monica charter amendment would extend eviction protections to renters in single-family homes and condominiums for the first time.

The latest figures available at publication come from NBC Los Angeles, which reported 15,840 yes votes (61.59%) and 9,877 no votes (38.41%) for the city measure. That is a margin of 5,963 votes. Those figures cite the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's returns but do not carry a specific timestamp.

These are unofficial partial returns. No outcome has been certified, and no independent organization has called the race. Ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 can arrive at county election offices through Nov. 10 and still be counted. The number of outstanding ballots specific to Santa Monica has not been reported.

Editors and readers should check results.lavote.gov for the latest official count. The county results page updates as new ballots are processed, but automated research tools were unable to extract current totals directly from the site due to technical access restrictions. The figures above may already be outdated.

What the measure would do

A yes vote would amend the Santa Monica City Charter to extend the city's existing just-cause eviction protections to tenants renting single-unit dwellings and condominiums, according to Patch's voter guide. It would also tighten rules for owner-occupancy evictions in units outside rent control.

Under the proposal, an owner seeking to recover a unit for personal use would have to move in within 60 days after the tenant leaves and remain for at least two years. Current rules require move-in within 30 days and a one-year stay, according to the California Apartment Association.

A no vote would leave the city's existing charter provisions unchanged. The measure is not expected to have a fiscal impact, according to California Choices.

Approval threshold

Measure VV requires a simple majority (more than 50%) to pass. The Santa Monica Daily Press confirmed all five Santa Monica measures require a simple majority.

At 61.59% yes, the measure is running above that threshold in the current count. That lead could narrow or widen as remaining ballots are tallied.

What happens next

The county must certify final results by Dec. 3, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. The Westside Current reported that Santa Monica has tentatively scheduled newly elected council members to take office Dec. 8.

Residents can track updated returns at results.lavote.gov.