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An estimated 65-66% of the vote in Berkeley has now been counted. The remaining count should be completed by Friday, probably with daily updates like today’s. 

District 1 City Council

Incumbent Council member Rashi Kesarwani is now ahead by 311 votes over challenger Elisa Mikiten, and the gap in the ranked choice voting has also widened. Kesarwani is now at 49.8% of the the first choice votes to 42.2% for Mikiten, and further counting could put her over 50%. Even if it doesn’t Mikiten would need almost all of third place candidate Freeman’s second choice votes to win. In the latest count, Mikiten picks up 52% of Freeman’s second choice votes, while Kesarwani is getting 25% and 22% didn’t make a second choice. It looks like Kesarwani has been re-elected; remaining ballots would have to tilt heavily toward Mikiten to prevent that outcome. 

Rent Board -Elect 5

Ida Martinac is now only 64 votes behind Carole Marasovic and could overtake her in the remaining count. Members of the Right to Housing slate, including Martinac and Marrero have gained in the count since Election Day relative to Marasovic who is running as an independent, 

School Board - Elect 3 

Mike Chang’s lead over Reichi Lee is now up to 631 votes. Unless the remaining ballots are heavily from areas where she did best, it’s unlikely that she will overtake Chang for third place when the remaining votes are counted. 

Alameda County District Attorney 

Pamela Price is now in the lead, ahead of Terry Wiley by 2035 votes (50.4%) 

Other Berkeley races

Nothing much has changed. Measure L, the $650 million bond, has a slightly higher percentage (57.1% YES) but is still way short of two-thirds. Apparently no additional ballots from District 7 were counted as Rigel Robinson’s tally remains the same - a pitiful 119 votes.