Los Angeles Council Race Remains Uncertain as Counters Reach 99%

The winner of the Los Angeles City Council race for District 9 remains undetermined as election officials continue to process ballots. The margin between the two finalists, Jose Ugarte and Estuardo Mazariegos, is narrow enough that a single vote could decide the outcome. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk reported on Friday that 99 percent of ballots in the county have been counted. Two further updates are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday before the final result is certified on November 27.

Members of the activist group Comunidad Unida por la Democracia demonstrated on Friday in front of the county’s Ballot Processing Center. They requested a prompt declaration of the winner and greater clarity in the reporting process. Vivian Pantin, a community activist and former Honduran consul, noted that ten days have passed without a final decision. She called for transparency and speed in the process.

Mazariegos has filed a complaint with election authorities alleging fraud against Ugarte. He provided images of ballots collected from various households. Some ballots appeared unsigned, and others had envelopes that were not sealed. Mazariegos stated that some of the ballots were allegedly handled by Ugarte’s campaign staff. The District Attorney’s office confirmed that it is evaluating the evidence but said no formal investigation is currently underway.

Ugarte responded to the allegations on Tuesday. He described the accusations as false and defamatory. He stated that he intends to use all available legal actions to protect his reputation and defend the voting rights of District 9 residents. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk said that detailed estimates are not yet available for specific races or jurisdictions. The agency noted that its processing center remains open to the public during working hours to allow observers to view the work directly.

Activists expressed concern about potential ballot delays. Martha Garcia, a community activist, warned that many votes could be invalidated if ballots are not processed in time. She urged officials not to hide the results if further scrutiny is needed. Mazariegos emphasized the importance of counting every vote and asked residents to maintain patience and faith in the electoral process.

Under California law, a one-vote difference can decide an election. A recount is only possible if a request is filed within five days of the final certification of results. The next update on the ballot count is expected on Tuesday.