Election Day in Berkeley

Berkeley's District 4 special election could add another vocal progressive to the city council; The Year of the Recall will have one less special election; 'Dro yard sign-defacing bandit returns

Berkeley City Hall. PHOTO/City of Berkeley

ELECTION 2024

BERKELEY SPECIAL ELEX - DISTRICT 4

—ELECTION DAY—The Berkeley City Council will soon be whole once again. Today is Special Election Day in Berkeley.

—This race is clearly defined. Soli Alpert and Elana Auerbach want to move Berkeley back to being a leader in the progressive movement.

—Ruben Hernández Story and Igor Tregub want a version of the status quo.

—The quartet are vying to fill out the remainder of former District 4 Councilmember Kate Harrison’s term. Harrison resigned in February.

—What to expect: First of all, an extremely low turnout, similar to last month’s special election in Berkeley’s District 7. Cecilia Lunaparra won the seat with just 291 votes over James Chang. Turnout in the District 7 special election was 17.26 percent.

—Unlike the District 7 special election, District 4 uses ranked choice voting, which adds another wrinkle to the race.

—Also unlike District 7, money is a factor. For example, an independent expenditure committee has spent roughly $4,000 each in support of their top two choices—Tregub and Hernández Story.

—The win by Lunaparra last month raised the stakes in the District 4 special election. Lunaparra is part of the young activist movement that has forcefully taken its case to city hall over the past six months. A win by Alpert or Auerbach will strengthen their voice on the city council.

MORE INSIDE:

• At least one East Bay recall will not happen this year.

• Recall Scoreboard

• Oakland school boardmember will not seek re-election

• BART’s appointment creates an opening on the Dublin City Council

• San Leandro yard sign-defacing bandit returns after four-year hiatus

—411 on the 510—Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m. It’s what the insiders read.