The deadline to cast a ballot in the special election for the Sixth District City Council seat is Tuesday. The election is between Imelda Padilla and Marisa Alcaraz, who are vying to fill the seat left vacant by former Council President Nury Martinez’s resignation.
In the first round of voting on April 4, Padilla, a community relations manager, led the field of seven candidates with 25.65% of the vote. However, she did not secure a majority, resulting in a runoff against Alcaraz, a City Council aide, who received 21.13% of the vote.
Padilla has made a commitment to prioritize finding an immediate solution to the homelessness crisis. She plans to propose an emergency remediation of encampments and connect the unhoused population to essential services for housing, employment, and health support. Padilla aims to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions for safer and sanitary communities.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, emphasizes her focus on helping people without homes find housing and the care they need to get back on their feet. She supports conducting extensive outreach and adopting a “Housing First” approach. Alcaraz believes in investing in outreach teams that include healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support.
Alcaraz also advocates for utilizing existing government property, such as Metro parcels, to create temporary shelter facilities. She proposes leasing existing buildings, including apartments and motels, to quickly move people off the streets. Additionally, she suggests acquiring vacant properties for long-term housing development and establishing a Homeless Navigation Center where individuals can access various services.
The elections are crucial for District 6, which includes Van Nuys, Arleta, Lake Balboa, Panorama City, Sun Valley, and parts of North Hills and North Hollywood.
All registered voters in the district have received a vote-by-mail ballot. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at multiple locations, including the Albert Piantanida Intergenerational Center, Goodwill Southern California, Central Lutheran Church, LA Family Housing, Fernangeles Elementary School, Bassett Street Elementary School, and Gault Street Elementary School. There are also 14 vote-by-mail drop boxes available until 8 p.m.
If eligible residents missed the registration deadline, they can still vote at any vote center through conditional voter registration.
The winner of the special election will serve the remaining term of former Council President Martinez, which ends in December 2024.
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