Voters appear to reject Measure A in early returns
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Homes in Pacific Beach. Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images
A majority of voters said "no" to the city's vacant home tax proposal, according to early returns Tuesday night.
The big picture: 58% of voters so far opposed Measure A, which would cost owners of second homes $8,000 annually in 2027 and $10,000 every year after.
- The city said the measure would bring in $9 million to $21 million each year to the general fund.
If the measure fails, the city will have to do without, and find other ways to continue to make up its budget deficit, which sits at $146 million next fiscal year.
Follow the money: Over the past few months, the measure drew sizable spending from outside organizations that opposed it.
- The California Association of Realtors shelled out more than $1 million to defeat the measure, according to campaign filings.
Zoom in: The measure would apply to about 5,100 homes locally, Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera told Axios last month.
- It would exempt some situations, like when someone has moved into a care facility or is away for military service.
Meanwhile, other races across the region are narrowing down to two candidates who will advance to a November runoff. In early returns:
- City Council District 2: Richard Bailey had 39% of the vote, and Nicole Crosby 31%. Josh Coyne trailed with 11% of the vote.
- City Council District 8: Antonio Martinez led with 29% of the vote, but less than 300 votes separated the two candidates vying for second place, Gerardo Ramirez and Venus Molina.
- 48th Congressional District: Republican Jim Desmond and Marni von Wilpert advanced to the November election, nabbing 42% and 20% of the vote, respectively.
Caveat: The Registrar of Voters will continue to count ballots throughout the week, so numbers could change. The next big vote count update will come Thursday at 6pm.
This is a developing story and will be updated.