U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon, who faces Jamie Joyce in her first reelection bid, voted Tuesday morning at Allen Temple Baptist Church on International Boulevard, The Oaklandside reported. Simon said that if Democrats retake the House, their first job would be undoing President Donald Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” and its cuts to the social safety net. “We're going to have to fight like hell,” she said.
The Oaklandside said journalists were invited to watch Simon vote, but staff from the Alameda County registrar's office said press could not record video inside the voting center.
What's on Oakland's ballot
Oakland North reported that Mayor Barbara Lee faces three challengers: Brenda Grisham, Mindy Pechenuk and Julius Robinson. Council President Kevin Jenkins faces Nancy Sidebotham in District 6, and District 2 Councilmember Charlene Wang faces Nate Adams. Voters are also deciding three Oakland Unified school board seats, a charter change that would give the mayor veto power, and a change to the city's property transfer tax.
Voices from the polls
At the 81st Avenue Branch Library around 10:22 a.m., a teacher and lifelong East Oakland resident told Oakland North that immigration enforcement was one of her biggest concerns, and that the school board races and Proposition 40, the proposed billionaire tax, also mattered to her.
Wang planned to spend part of the day outside the Jack London Aquatic Center polling place, her chief of staff told Oakland North. Wang, Lee, Jenkins and District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran plan to hold an election night party at Fluid510 at 7 p.m.
The Oaklandside said early returns are expected around 8 p.m. For background, see the Oakland mayor candidates and Measure EE explained.
No results had been released when this story was published. Polls and drop boxes close at 8 p.m.