Election 2024 Results: Franklin Leads Council Candidates, Both City Measures Passing
Nov 06, 2024 08:12AM ● By MB News Staff
The first sets of results for local elections have been published by Los Angeles County. Data below come from the latest updates, time-stamped 3:46AM on Nov. 6.
Results posted so far account for nearly 60% of all of the 26,679 registered voters in Manhattan Beach.
Recent presidential-year elections have seen total turnout hit 81-91% among the very engaged Manhattan Beach electorate, meaning that a substantial amount of votes remains to be counted still. MB News estimates that 6,000-8,000 ballots are still to be tallied.
Here are the results so far for city races and Measure BC, a regional measure presented to all the beach cities of the South Bay.
Newcomer Nina Tarnay also seems to have comfortably established a second-place finish, good for one of the three seats up for election this year. She has 7,364 votes so far.
There is a somewhat more competitive battle in the vote count for the third and final seat. Former city finance director Steve Charelian, with 5,910 votes, has a notable lead over former school board member Karen Komatinsky, with Charelian ahead by 559 votes in the latest count.
In the very first tallies published online by L.A. County, about 35 minutes after polls closed, Charelian led Komatinsky by exactly one vote, but that margin grew with each update.
Two additional candidates, Joe Marcy and Brenda O'Leary, lagged more than 30% behind the 3rd- and 4th-place candidates throughout the first evening's counts.
The relatively close contest between Charelian and Komatinsky will no doubt trigger memories of the November 2020 contest for city council. In the initial overnight results, Grettel Fournell led Joe Franklin by 160 votes. Four days later, Franklin overtook Fournell in the counts by 59 votes, ending with a margin of 88 votes as he secured election to the council for the first time.
Measure MMB needs only a 50%-plus-one result to pass, and it held a 56% "yes" vote throughout the evening's first counts.
Measure RLS needs a 55% supermajority to pass, but it has been far surpassing that threshold, ending the overnight counts with a 65% "yes" vote.
In a related development, state Proposition 2 appeared to be heading for passage. That measure proposes a $10 billion state bond to be used for school repairs and infrastructure. Measure RLS proponents stated during the campaign that Prop. 2 could bring matching funds to Manhattan Beach in excess of $50 million with the simultaneous passage of Measure RLS.
Over 53% of all voters presented with Measure BC said "no."
Measure BC actually required a two-thirds majority to pass, because it involved a levy on local properties to fund its bonds, and it is not a school bond. Only if state Proposition 5 had passed, lowering the threshold for similar levies, could Measure BC have seen a reduced vote requirement of 55% to pass. With Prop. 5 failing and Measure BC underwater, the BCHD proposal has met its end.
For reference, after the November 2022 election, county officials updated counts a few times per week, with the vast majority of all votes accounted for within 2 weeks of the election.
Certification of final results occurs about 30 days after Election Day.
Results posted so far account for nearly 60% of all of the 26,679 registered voters in Manhattan Beach.
Recent presidential-year elections have seen total turnout hit 81-91% among the very engaged Manhattan Beach electorate, meaning that a substantial amount of votes remains to be counted still. MB News estimates that 6,000-8,000 ballots are still to be tallied.
Here are the results so far for city races and Measure BC, a regional measure presented to all the beach cities of the South Bay.
City Council Race (3 Seats)
With 6 candidates running for 3 seats, and just one incumbent, the election for City Council has been hard-fought and compelling the whole way.
Current city council member Joe Franklin appears to be assured of re-election, placing well ahead of all contenders with 8,808 votes in the overnight tally.
Newcomer Nina Tarnay also seems to have comfortably established a second-place finish, good for one of the three seats up for election this year. She has 7,364 votes so far.
There is a somewhat more competitive battle in the vote count for the third and final seat. Former city finance director Steve Charelian, with 5,910 votes, has a notable lead over former school board member Karen Komatinsky, with Charelian ahead by 559 votes in the latest count.
In the very first tallies published online by L.A. County, about 35 minutes after polls closed, Charelian led Komatinsky by exactly one vote, but that margin grew with each update.
Two additional candidates, Joe Marcy and Brenda O'Leary, lagged more than 30% behind the 3rd- and 4th-place candidates throughout the first evening's counts.
The relatively close contest between Charelian and Komatinsky will no doubt trigger memories of the November 2020 contest for city council. In the initial overnight results, Grettel Fournell led Joe Franklin by 160 votes. Four days later, Franklin overtook Fournell in the counts by 59 votes, ending with a margin of 88 votes as he secured election to the council for the first time.
Measure MMB Winning
A city-sponsored measure to increase the sales tax by 1/2 cent to pay for infrastructure and other needs seems headed to victory.Measure MMB needs only a 50%-plus-one result to pass, and it held a 56% "yes" vote throughout the evening's first counts.
Measure RLS Winning
Measure RLS would "repair local schools" by extending current bond assessments, generating approximately $200 million over time. Supporters argued that the measure amounted to a continuation of existing charges, and not a tax increase.Measure RLS needs a 55% supermajority to pass, but it has been far surpassing that threshold, ending the overnight counts with a 65% "yes" vote.
In a related development, state Proposition 2 appeared to be heading for passage. That measure proposes a $10 billion state bond to be used for school repairs and infrastructure. Measure RLS proponents stated during the campaign that Prop. 2 could bring matching funds to Manhattan Beach in excess of $50 million with the simultaneous passage of Measure RLS.
Measure BC Failing
A regional measure to support infrastructure development for the Beach Cities Health District, Measure BC, required a high bar for passage, and appears to have been decisively defeated.Over 53% of all voters presented with Measure BC said "no."
Measure BC actually required a two-thirds majority to pass, because it involved a levy on local properties to fund its bonds, and it is not a school bond. Only if state Proposition 5 had passed, lowering the threshold for similar levies, could Measure BC have seen a reduced vote requirement of 55% to pass. With Prop. 5 failing and Measure BC underwater, the BCHD proposal has met its end.
Other Races of Local Interest
Outgoing city council member Steve Napolitano appears to be headed to defeat in his effort to be elected judge of the Superior Court, Office 39. With more than 2 million votes tallied countywide, Napolitano had just 43% support, while his opponent, George A. Turner, Jr., was at 57%.
L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon, whose policies repeatedly drew the ire of Manhattan Beach officials, is headed to a decisive defeat by challenger Nathan Hochman, who led 61% to 39% in the overnight counts.
Also, the city ballot technically had a race for City Treasurer. Current treasurer Tim Lilligren was the only candidate, garnering 11,761 votes in the overnight counts.
L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon, whose policies repeatedly drew the ire of Manhattan Beach officials, is headed to a decisive defeat by challenger Nathan Hochman, who led 61% to 39% in the overnight counts.
Also, the city ballot technically had a race for City Treasurer. Current treasurer Tim Lilligren was the only candidate, garnering 11,761 votes in the overnight counts.
Watch for Updates
MB News will continue to monitor election results as they come in, and provide updates both here on the site, and on social media. You can also get updates on local races yourself directly from L.A. County at results.lavote.gov.For reference, after the November 2022 election, county officials updated counts a few times per week, with the vast majority of all votes accounted for within 2 weeks of the election.
Certification of final results occurs about 30 days after Election Day.
