CULVER CITY, CA — Freddy Puza and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin led the race for two Culver City Council seats in preliminary returns from Tuesday's election, while voters favored Measures AA and T and opposed Measure YV.
The results, released by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, were current as of 10 p.m. Tuesday. They are preliminary, and no candidates have been officially declared elected, city officials said.
Puza received 5,668 votes, or 29.88%, followed by Wisnosky Stehlin with 4,649 votes, or 24.51%. Kimberley "Kim" Griffin received 4,008 votes, or 21.13%; Thomas Aujero Small received 3,912 votes, or 20.62%; and Franklin Carvajal received 732 votes, or 3.86%.
Vote totals and percentages are likely to change as additional ballots are counted.
The two council seats carry four-year terms.
Measure AA, a proposed Culver City Unified School District parcel tax, received 6,814 "yes" votes, or 63.02%, and 3,999 "no" votes, or 36.98%.
The measure would impose a 10-year tax of 48 cents per square foot of building space, generating an estimated $18 million annually for public schools. Revenue would support academic programs, teachers, instructional aides, arts, athletics along with science, technology, engineering and math education.
The proposal includes exemptions for older adults and independent financial oversight, city officials said.
Measure T, which would increase the tax on hotel and motel stays in Hermosa Beach, received 8,001 "yes" votes, or 74.23%, and 2,778 "no" votes, or 25.77%.
The measure would raise the transient occupancy tax from 14% to 15% until March 1, 2028, and to 16% thereafter, according to the city. It would generate an estimated $2 million annually for general city services, including public safety, infrastructure, housing, homelessness programs and community services.
Measure YV, which would lower the voting age to 16 for city and school district elections, received 4,759 affirmative votes, or 44.37%, and 5,966 votes against, or 55.63%.
The proposed city charter amendment would allow eligible 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in those elections, subject to funding, logistical requirements and the ability to consolidate elections with Los Angeles County.
The county began releasing preliminary results after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Initial returns included mailed ballots received and signature-verified before Election Day.
Outstanding ballots may include mail ballots returned on Election Day, ballots arriving by mail afterward, provisional ballots and ballots requiring additional verification, officials said. Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day must be received by Nov. 10.
The county's deadline to certify results is Dec. 3.
The Culver City Council is scheduled to approve the certified results and install newly elected members Dec. 14. The council will also do its annual reorganization, including selecting a mayor and vice mayor.
Election updates are available on the city's election website and the county's results website. The City Clerk's Office will also share major updates through the city's email notification system.
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