Updated at 11:38 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2024.
KAZU will continue updating this page as local counties report their results.
Monterey County's latest batch of vote returns includes 41.6% of registered voters.
In Salinas, former Mayor Dennis Donohue — who is seeking to return to that office, succeeding Kimbley Craig — is leading comfortably. Donohue has about 60% of the vote, far ahead of Chris Barrera with about 26%, and Ernesto González García has 14%.
In Pacific Grove, the measure to reduce the size of the city council is trailing, with 53.5% of voters choosing not to change the size.
In Seaside, a ban on safe and sane fireworks is out to a narrow early lead.
Santa Cruz County's latest batch of vote returns includes 57.4% of registered voters.
The highly anticipated race for 2nd District Supervisor remains close. Kim De Serpa leads with 50.7% of the vote, while Kristen Brown is not far behind with 48.3%.
San Benito County's latest batch of vote returns includes 40.7% of registered voters.
Places to check for results for state and county races are linked below:
The Associated Press is tracking and reporting the results for federal races, including the presidency, U.S. Senate and U.S. House.
U.S. Senate
Adam Schiff (D) — Winner
Steve Garvey (R)
The Associated Press called the race at 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 5.
U.S. House District 18
Zoe Lofgren (D) incumbent — Winner
Peter Hernandez (R)
The Associated Press called the race at 9:34 p.m. on Nov. 5.
U.S. House District 19
Jimmy Panetta (D) incumbent — Winner
Jason Anderson (R)
The Associated Press called the race at 9:11 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Earlier coverage from KAZU
In San Benito County, at least one polling station had people lining up before the 7:00 a.m. opening time on Election Day. At about 1:00 p.m., poll captain Victoria Rivera said the San Juan Bautista Community Center had been busier than she’d seen it before.
And she also noticed another difference.
“Well, we’ve seen more, definitely more, same-day registration voters,” Rivera said. “It’s great. I’m glad they’re out and voting.”
Rivera, who lives in Hollister, says she’s been working polls for at least 20 years.
Here are some local races KAZU is following:
If approved by a simple majority of voters, Measure Z would tax beverage distributors $0.02 per ounce for pre-sweetened beverages such as sodas and iced teas with at least 40 calories per 12 fluid ounces. If fully passed on to consumers, Measure Z would add $0.24 to the price of a 12-ounce soda. City leaders have promised to use proceeds of the tax — estimated at $1.3 million per year — to fund public health, though the measure does not require that. Opponents, led by the beverage industry, say Measure Z unfairly targets low-income consumers. And they say it would worsen inflation by raising grocery prices.
The 'yes' campaign is currently leading with about 52% of the vote.
County of Santa Cruz Measure Q
If approved by voters, Measure Q would add an annual $87 parcel tax to most properties and earmark the funds for projects related to clean water and open space management. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.
The 'yes' campaign is currently leading with 58% of the vote.
Three people campaigned to replace outgoing Mayor Kimbley Craig in Salinas, who decided in May not to run again. Chris Barrera is president of the Salinas chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens and a local realtor. Ernesto Gonzalez García is a current Monterey County planning commissioner and former school principal. Dennis Donohue was mayor of Salinas from 2006-2012. He runs the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology.
Donohue is currently leading with about 60% of the vote.
City of Pacific Grove Measure Z
Residents of Pacific Grove will vote on Measure Z, which proposes reducing the city council from seven to five members, including the mayor. Councilmember Debby Beck supports the measure, believing it will prepare the city for inevitable district voting and increase competition in council races. Councilmember Joe Amelio opposes it, citing the council's long-standing size since 1927 and the importance of diverse viewpoints. If passed, the change will take effect in 2026. A similar measure was narrowly defeated in 2022.
The 'no' campaign is currently leading with about 53% of the vote.
School bond requests dominate local measures on the ballots of all three Monterey Bay area counties. A bond is a loan the district seeks to maintain school facilities. It’s repaid by increasing the property tax in the district.
While the state pays the districts for teachers, staff and other ongoing operations, it does not underwrite the cost of repairs, upgrades, and the construction of new structures.
School bond measures need 55% to pass.
In San Benito County, many races never appeared on voters’ ballots. Out of 26 school board races — comprising 38 seats — just one was contested this election. Three candidates vied for one seat on the Hollister school board after the incumbent for Trustee Area 4, Lisa Marks, chose not to run for re-election. Across the county, 13 school board seats have vacancies that need to be filled. Just one candidate is running for each of the remaining 24 seats.
In San Benito County, 21.4% of local races are contested this election.
In Santa Cruz County, 23.9% of local races are contested this election.
In Monterey County, 37.1% of local races are contested this election.
