Culver City Preliminary Election Results: Puza and Stehlin Lead Council Race, School Parcel Tax and Hotel Tax Measures Ahead, Voting-Age Measure Trailing
The City of Culver City, in Los Angeles County, California, announced on the evening of November 3 that the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk began reporting preliminary results for the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election following the close of polls at 8 p.m. The results reported here are as of 10 p.m. that evening and include Vote by Mail ballots received and signature-verified ahead of Election Day.
For City Council, voters are electing two members to serve four-year terms. Preliminary results show Freddy Puza leading with 5,668 votes (29.88%), followed by Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin with 4,649 votes (24.51%), Kimberley "Kim" Griffin with 4,008 votes (21.13%), Thomas Aujero Small with 3,912 votes (20.62%), and Franklin Carvajal with 732 votes (3.86%). The city stressed that these are preliminary results and that no candidates have been officially declared elected.
Measure AA, the Culver City Unified School District parcel tax, proposes a 10-year parcel tax of $0.48 per building square foot to generate approximately $18 million annually for Culver City public schools, supporting academic programs, teachers, instructional aides, arts, athletics and STEM education, with senior exemptions and independent financial oversight. It requires a simple majority. Preliminary results show Yes at 6,814 votes (63.02%) and No at 3,999 votes (36.98%).
Measure T proposes increasing the transient occupancy tax paid by hotel and motel guests from 14% to 15% until March 1, 2028, and to 16% thereafter, generating up to approximately $2 million annually for general city services including public safety, infrastructure, housing, homelessness programs and community services. It also requires a simple majority. Preliminary results show Yes at 8,001 votes (74.23%) and No at 2,778 votes (25.77%).
Measure YV proposes amending the Culver City Charter to allow eligible residents ages 16 and 17 to vote in city and school district elections, subject to funding, logistical requirements and the ability to consolidate elections with Los Angeles County. It requires a simple majority. Preliminary results show Yes at 4,759 votes (44.37%) and No at 5,966 votes (55.63%).
The city said Election Night results are preliminary and that additional ballots will continue to be processed and counted by the county in the coming days, including Vote by Mail ballots returned on Election Day, ballots received through the mail after Election Day, provisional ballots and ballots requiring additional verification, so totals and percentages are subject to change. Key upcoming dates are November 10, 2026, the deadline for Vote by Mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be received by the county; December 3, 2026, the deadline for Los Angeles County to certify the results; and December 14, 2026, when the Culver City Council is scheduled to approve the certified results and install the newly elected council members, after which the council will conduct its annual reorganization, including selection of the mayor and vice mayor.
Related: Culver City Voting Centers Open Until 8 PM on Election Day
(Source: City of Culver City)
Source: City of Culver City
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Culver City 市政厅。Northwalker 摄，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Culver City City Hall. Photo by Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
