It’s Election Day in Richmond, and our reporters are sending dispatches from around the city. Check back here for the latest news, election results, and live coverage from candidates’ headquarters. And let us know what’s happening near you: post to our Facebook page, or tweet @riconfidential or use #voterc2012 on Twitter or Instagram.
Contra Costa will be releasing updates through the night. You can check for updates on their site by clicking here.
We will return with updates tomorrow morning. Thanks for tuning in.
With 32 percent of precincts reporting Nat Bates is still in the lead with 5,923 votes, Tom Butt second with 5,907, and Gary Bell is third with 4,974. RPA candidates Eduardo Martinez and Marilyn Langlois are in fourth and fifth with 4,387 and 3,680 votes, respectively.
RPA candidates Marilyn Langlois and Eduardo Martinez enjoy a moment of conversation as they await the city’s council election results. (Photo by: Rachel Witte) #richcon2012
Eduardo Martinez has election night fever at RPA HQ. (Photo by: Jason Jaacks) #richcon2012
Via @npr: Transcript of Mitt Romney’s speech ow.ly/f5ffj #election2012
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) November 7, 2012
#Prop36, which would revise Calif.’s 3 Strikes law, is ahead 68 to 32% with 17% of precincts reporting ow.ly/f5f0P #election2012
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) November 7, 2012
#Romney concedes… It’s been a long road to November 6 (Photo by: Tawanda Kanhema) #richcon2012
Richmond residents erupted into gleeful cheers as they watched CNN call three states in a row for President Barack Obama, before finally handing him the presidency. “Four more years! Four more years!” chanted people watching the results at Salute restaurant, throwing their fists into the air, hugging, and crying before toasting their champagne glasses. Anxiety turned into relief as Iowa a swing state, was called for the president. “I was biting my nails – I was too scared to watch it, but now I’m happy,” said Raquel Paz. Dreams came true for Resident Kara Braxton, who brought her 85-year-old mother to the restaurant, even though she was reluctant to go. “My dream was for her to see him elected four years ago, and my dream now is for her to see him elected again, she said after Iowa and Ohio were called. -Avni Nijhawan reports.You can read the rest of the story by clicking here.
Only a third of Conta Costa County’s votes are in, but so far residents have voted decidedly in favor of President Barack Obama:
“My son’s observation from Oregon:it’s looking like a good night for liberals.” Chris, Pt. Richmond resident. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
“He tanked it,” Steve Spencer, Richmond resident” on Romney thanking Ryan for his contribution to campaign. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Preliminary results show Measure N losing in Richmond. With 6 of 53 precincts reporting, No on N has 68.38% of the vote and Yes has 31.69%.
“I know it was going to affect not only people in general, but business owners,” said Fernando Ramirez from the No on N Headquarters. His dad owns Azteca Sport Minimart and is featured prominently on billboards throughout Richmond.
“I’m pro-health, but there are different ways to go about it,” he said.
- Jennifer Baires reports
No on N campaigners are all smiles at the party on the second floor of the Hotel Mac in Point Richmond. The first absentee results are in, and the measure is trailing 68-31.
Around 65 people are here, including City Council candidates Bea Roberson and Jael Myrick. Councilmember Corky Booze called the early returns a voter rejection of the Richmond Progressive Alliance.
“This shows you can’t come into Richmond and take advantage of the people of Richmond,” Booze said. “All it was was an ego trip for the RPA and Councilmember Ritterman.”
Booze was also excited about Barack Obama’s reelection. “I love it,” he said. “I think it’s the best thing that could ever happen to the United States of America.”
The red-carpeted room’s walls are covered with No on N signs. Balloons are plentiful, and the bar is wide open.
- Zach St. George and Stephen Hobbs report
No on Measure N campaign declares “official victory” over measure N. (Photo by: Jennifer Baires) #richcon2012
We have early results in the Richmond City Council election. With just 6 of 53 precincts in Richmond reporting, Tom Butt is in the lead with 18.21% of the vote, followed by Nat Bates at 17.94%, Gary Bell at 14.52%, Eduardo Martinez at 12.52%, and Marilyn Langlois at 10.70%.
Check our front page for live updates from the Contra Costa County Elections Division. 
Richmond Confidential reporters sending in live dispatches from “No on N” headquarters at Hotel Mac. (Photo by: Jennifer Baires) #richcon2012
Richmond youth in the CCISCO office ran out to the streets when NBC predicted Obama’s presidential victory. It’s a full-on block party on MacDonald. Cars are honking as they drive by, and kids are chanting for victory on the street. Hugs and high fives and smiles all around.
Stay tuned for an update from CCISCO on Prop 30.
- Julie Brown reports
Volunteers at CCISCO are taking a breather after celebrating Obama, and are waiting for results for #Prop30
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Democrat Elizabeth Warren wins the Senate race in Massachusetts.
“Elizabeth Warren is one of the stars we are going to be seeing a lot of in future.” Lorraine Parner, Pt Richmond resident. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
David Mitchell is celebrating #Obama’s victory with a little dance in downtown Richmond (Photo by: Julie Brown) #richcon2012
Sharing the love. (Photo by: Julie Brown) #richcon2012 #obama
Chuck Finnie at the Hotel Mac before announcement of voting results, which said that 68 percent of absentee voters rejected Measure N. “What this means is that voters rejected this out of hand,” Finnie said. “It is not getting any closer.” (Photo by: Stephen Hobbs) #richcon2012
“The caution with which Obama had to approach the first term is gone.”- Betty Soskin, Hilltop resident on Obama’s reelection. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
“We said we should do it again, so both of us should do it again.” Nat Bates at the Hotel Mac seeing Obama won and waiting for local election results. (Photo by: Stephen Hobbs) #richcon2012
These kids are making cars honk! (Photo by: Julie Brown) #richmondyouth #obama #richcon2012
Richmond youth are cheering in the streets! (Photo by: Julie Brown) #obama #victory #richcon2012
“I had to wait at a school to vote. I’ve never had to stand in line before.” Kristen Gates, Richmond resident. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Folks at RPA headquarters watch as Barack Obama is named the 44th President of the United States. (Photo by: Rachel Witte) #richcon2012
Karina Brenes spent the final hours of the election canvassing for last minute votes. She is undocumented and is not able to vote herself. (Photo by: Jason Jaacks) #richcon2012 #nytelection
Obama supporters at CCISCO from Richmond Confidential on Vimeo.
Obama supporters at CCISCO celebrate his victory as stations call the election. (Video by: Jennifer Baires)
The last voter has left the hilltop voting polls, saying she is relieved after all the pressure from her family to “Get out and vote!” #tn
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Four more years. twitter.com/BarackObama/st…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2012
Those at the Richmond Progressive Alliance find out Obama has been re-elected. (Photo by: Rachel de Leon)
Final reports are coming in for swing states, and networks are projecting an Obama win. See http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/President/2012/ for live polling updates.
Liberty Cafe Co-op is providing Mexican food tonight for election viewers at RPA headquarters. They’re name comes from the Liberty ships produced in Richmond during WWII (Photo by: Jennifer Baires)
polling closed in #RichmondCA … reports to follow
— Robert Rogers (@roberthrogers) November 7, 2012
Zola Zizi and her pup Candy kick back at RPA headquarters. (Photo by: Jennifer Baires) #richcon2012
Zach St. George reports from Casper’s on Macdonald Avenue:
Corky Booze, Bea Roberson, and Roberson’s daughter Stephanie Brice relaxed around a table at Casper’s on Macdonald Avenue.
Booze said a video being passed around in which an RPA member allegedly tells someone how to vote is “real dirty politics.” In the video, a man huddles over a seated person and points at different spots on a piece of paper. “If they have to resort to that to win, that’s a bad sign for the people of Richmond,” he says.
The RPA’s mission, Booze and Roberson said they agree, is to take over the city. “I have no trouble calling them a cult,” Booze said.
“That’s what they are, a cult,” Roberson said.
Roberson poured a large amount of salt into her Sprite — cuts the fizz, she said. Booze raised his eyebrows, and muttered something about cholesterol.
“It does that to some people, but not to me,” she said. “I eat lots of salt and lots of sugar,” she said.
When she worked construction, she said, her boss would tell her that she ate so much salt that she’d be preserved. “I’ll never die,” she said.
“You’ll never die,” Booze joked, laughing with Roberson, “but it’s because you’re so mean.”
Richmond Confidential reporter Jennifer Baires reports from CCISCO.
It’s 8pm and the polls are closed and here at CCISCO they are blasting tunes and “celebrating good times!” JB
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
“Well the media needed something to do.”- Steve Spencer on the presidential “close horse race” being a media myth. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Canvassing and making phone calls at CCISCO up to the last minute for Prop 30. Eight minutes and counting! (Photo by: Julie Brown) #richcon2012
TV News outlets ate setting up for live coverage out front of RPA. (Photo by: Jennifer Baires) #richcon2012
Chris Decarlo, passes out Myrick flyers, at hilltop church, “Not many people I’ve talked to really know about city council members.” #tn
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Ten minutes till the polls close and CCISCO volunteers are still on the phones getting people to #rockthevote! (Photo by: Julie Brown) #richcon2012
Brenda Vega, 19, fliers outside Nevin Community Center in Richmond, Calif for city council candidate Jael Myrick. A student at Contra Costa College, Vega is also an Obama supporter: “They didn’t give him that much chance under four years of presidency,” she said. “Maybe now with re-election he’ll be able to do a little bit more.” (Photo by: Avni Nijhawan) #nytelection #richcon2012
18,245,970 Californians registered to vote in the November 6 presidential election
— Oakland North (@northoaklandnow) November 7, 2012
“I’d like to see polarization in Washington change.”- Jeffrey Grey, Richmond resident, on the presidential election. #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
#election2012 RPA’s Mike Parker is “optimistic” that anti-N and pro Langlois and Martinez beat big money.Chuck Finnie is “pretty confident”
— Robert Rogers (@roberthrogers) November 7, 2012
Across the street from the No on N offices, three RPA Measure N supporters stand outside the senior center polling station.
“Have you heard of Measure N?” they ask people entering the building.
Tim Matthiessen, a dietician from Oakland, says he’s watched the No on N trucks drive by for hours. “They have plenty of gas money,” he says.
“There are ‘No on N’ signs on every light pole,” says Kate Sibley, another RPA supporter. “That’s illegal.”
They stand next to a “Yes on N” sign — exactly 100 feet away from the polling station entrance.
Matthiessen says he felt compelled to make the drive to Richmond because, as a dietician, he sees the negative effects of sugary drinks every day. “The population here is not very healthy, and it’s directly related to dietary nutrition,” he says. “There aren’t a lot of good food options or choices.”
He understands why people don’t like the tax, but he says, much like the first taxes on cigarettes, people against the tax aren’t always thinking in their own best interest.
Errica George and her son Jonovan walk up and asks for a picture in front of the Yes on N sign. It’s her sons first election, she says. The tot beams and clutches a styrofoam cup — “water,” George says.
“Our kids now, they’re full of sugar,” George says.
Jonovan mumbles happily and pours his cup of water on the ground, stomps in it, then tosses the cup. “Even though it’s a tax, I think it’s a good tax,” George says.
- Zach St. George reports
“Let’s finish strong” Volunteers at CCISCO are manning the phones and asking people to vote until 8pm sharp. #election2012 #richcon2012
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Richmond ladies at the voting polls. (Photo by: Julie Brown)
Outside Richmond High, 19-year-old RPA volunteer, Ysrael Condori, says he got involved through his professor at Contra Costa College. #tn
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Inside CCSICO, high school volunteers are calling voters in a last ditch effort to get out the vote. (Photo by: Jason Jaacks) #richcon2012
Outside the RPA -it’s remarkably quiet with the polls still open for another hour. (photo by: Jason Jaacks) #richcon2012
Bonnie Martinez volunteer at the Richmond High polls says this is the highest uptick in voters of the night so far #tn twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Lakisha Hill, a 14-year Richmond resident, brought her six children to the RYSE Center’s election party to celebrate this year’s election. Hill said she and her oldest daughter, Sharnae Cross, voted together at 7 a.m at the Nevin Community Center polling station. Currently a student at Contra Costa Community College, Hill said Prop 30 is of great concern to her. “I know if it doesn’t pass there will be more cuts and it’ll affect my education,” she said.
Richmond Confidential’s brain trust at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism!
Richmond voter “Jessie” said about the local mailers in this election: “Sometimes I felt it was too much, but the mailers did help.” -JB
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Zadia Saunders said this is the first #election she can vote for a presidential candidate. Hanging out at the RYSE Center’s #election party, Saunders said she hopes #obama wins and the Richmond sugar tax, Measure N, passes. (Photo by: Brittany Patterson) #richcon2012
Six year-old Taylor Hill watches election results on CNN at a watch party for youth at RYSE in Richmond, Calif. Her mother, Lakisha Hill, brought Taylor along with her five siblings. The Obama supporter hosted an election party in 2008 and said it was important for them to have an African-American role model like he president. “It was important for them to have a legacy- striving for excellence,” she said. (Photo by: Avni Nijhawan) #nytelection #richcon2012
Here’s cake at the RYSE Center’s #election party (Photo by: Brittany Patterson) #richcon2012 #yum
Tilda Barnes and Raven Hicks watch as the latest polling results come in at Booker T. Anderson Community Center. (Photo by: Rachel de Leon) #richcon2012
RYSE Youth Center’s election results show #obama winning by a large majority (Photo by: Brittany Patterson) #richmondelections2012
Peres polls saw few problems today as they continue to take voters
Lyles, Peres polls volunteer, says the only problem they’ve had is when one voter said he couldn’t easily see the ‘vote here’ signs #tn
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
An Obama supporter hands out fliers at the Bayview Ave. polls.
Michele Bell hands out Pro-Obama ‘Black Women Organized for Political Action’ flyers at the entrance to the Bayview fire station polls. #tn
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
What’s the turnout like at the Bayview Ave. polling station?
Roy Estrada, volunteer at the Bayview ave polls says he expected more people, “Since everyone’s getting off work.” #tn twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Dozens of employees and volunteers with the No on N campaign boarded vans and spread out across Richmond to find people who haven’t voted and send them to the polls.
“After we win the election we’re going to go to the RPA office and pop soda in their faces!” yelled a man walking through the crowd in front of the Community Coalition Against Beverage Taxes, to cheers. Passing cars slowed and honked their support.
As the sun set, one van drove through the twisty roads of Crescent Park. It stopped every mile or so, leaving someone behind each time.
They will knock on doors of people who they expect to vote against Measure N, but who hadn’t voted by 2 p.m. Wearing “No on N” shirts, armed with red bags of fliers and Manila dockets, they looked around at the surrounding houses and apartments as the van pulled away.
Back at the no on n campaign offices, campaign manager Ryan Blake said the CCABT has been operating a field campaign since August — practice for the big day.
Live from the RYSE Youth Center:
Pretty great turn out at the @ryseyouthcenter! twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Eleanor Thompson hands out pamphlets. (Photo by: Rachel Witte)
Richmond City Council candidate Eleanor Thompson hands out pamphlets outside of the Easter Hill United Metho instagr.am/p/RtZlCBFaw8/
— Rachel Witte (@rachel_witte) November 7, 2012
Councilmember Jeff Ritterman talks with Jael Myrick’s campaign manager Darren Jones about Measure N at Easter Hill United Methodist Church.
Julie Brown tagged along with CCISCO canvassers this afternoon:
Kristen Pursley and Carlos Martinez braved the heat and spent this afternoon walking the streets of South Richmond to encourage people to vote today. Up and down residential avenues, they strolled the sidewalks, notebooks in hand, walking past endless campaign fliers and signs reading “Don’t Vote for Chevron,” “Vote for a Better Richmond,” “Vote No on N.”
Even though he can’t vote, Martinez, who leads a group of undocumented youth, has been knocking on doors and making phone calls since early September to encourage others to vote. He’s canvassing for Prop 30, which would raise taxes to fund public safety and schools. Pursley, who works for Community Organizing to Support Adult Schools, took the day off work to canvas for Prop 30. Without Prop 30, the adult schools in Richmond would lose funding and potentially close. “I’ve never taken a day off work for election stuff,” she said. “But this is an important election.”
Carlos Martinez checks for the next house on his list. He has been knocking on doors and making phone calls since early September to get out the vote. (Photo by: Julie Brown)
Carlos Martinez and Kristen Pursley found themselves asking for voters in Mexican markets.Photo by: Julie Brown).
Kristen Pursley knocks on a door in South Richmond. She’s encouraging people to vote for Proposition 30, which would help Richmond’s adult schools. Pursley works for Community Organizing to Support Adult Schools. (Photo by: Julie Brown).
A controversial measure on the ballot, Measure N is a tax on sugar in beverages. Rosa Ramirez is one of the voices against the tax on sugar.
“I don’t like the tax on soda, of course. We try not to drink soda.” – Rosa Ramirez, w/ shirt from her son against N. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Michele Jackson works at the West Contra Costa County Democratic Office.
Michele Jackson, a volunteer at the West Contra Costa County Democratic office, makes phone calls to get the vote out. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Voter turnout at Peres Elementary larger than last election.
At Peres Elementary polling station, volunteer Tyra Lyles says there’s a larger voter turnout here than last election. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
When you get to the polls today, what’s on your mind? What’s the most important thing to you in this election? Richmond Confidential asked a few people who just cast a vote at the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church polling station just that.
“Education — they might take away stuff from the public schools.”
-Cindy Pineda, Student
“That I was able to make it here to vote. It makes me feel really good to participate in this because it’s good for our kids and the future.”
-David Newmann, Carpenter
“Dealing with veterans and veterans services. The system is overloaded. When you come back from war, there’s not enough in place to start a family … It’s a struggle, really a struggle. If someone puts their life on the line for this country, they should come back and have a home.”
-Evelyn Seliby, Veteran
“That we continue to move forward. And that whoever is elected, I’d like them to see them do something for the middle class.”
-Roy Brown, Retired
Luis Vasquez, 33 and a Richmond resident since 2004, said he is excited about voting for Prop 30. “It affects all of us,” he said. (Photo by: Rachel Witte)
Geraldine Parker voted with her grandson, 20-year-old Maurice Henderson. She said that for her the most important issue on the ballot is Prop 34, which would overturn the death penalty. Parker said she knows someone currently on death row. (Photo by: Rachel Witte)
Adela Ceja, 23, said she learned about the presidential election through social networks like Instagram. (Photo by: Rachel Witte)
When you get to the polls today, what’s on your mind? What’s the most important thing to you in this election? Richmond Confidential asked a few people who just cast a vote at the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church polling station just that.
“Education — they might take away stuff from the public schools.”
-Cindy Pineda, Student
“That I was able to make it here to vote. It makes me feel really good to participate in this because it’s good for our kids and the future.”
-David Newmann, Carpenter
“Dealing with veterans and veterans services. The system is overloaded. When you come back from war, there’s not enough in place to start a family … It’s a struggle, really a struggle. If someone puts their life on the line for this country, they should come back and have a home.”
-Evelyn Seliby, Veteran
“That we continue to move forward. And that whoever is elected, I’d like them to see them do something for the middle class.”
-Roy Brown, Retired
David Newman, a carpenter in Richmond, cast his ballot on Richmond’s south side. (Photo by: Jason Jaacks)
Jerrold Hatchett offers his thoughts.
“If we get the wrong people we’re going back 50 years.” – Jerrold Hatchett, Democratic volunteer. #richcon2012 twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
The Yes on N campaign is still going strong.
Dietitian, Tim Matthiessen stands outside the Richmond Senior Center to give last second pitches to incoming voters. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
The Richmond Senior Center polling station volunteers prepare for an after-work crowd.
Six volunteers man the polls at the Richmond Senior Center. They say they’re expectant and ready for the crowd at 6. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 7, 2012
Teonna Thompson (top left), Tina Thompson (top right), Tamiyah Brown (bottom left) and Tisa Thompson (bottom right) hold signs in support of their mother (and grandmother), City Council candidate Eleanor Thompson. Photo by: Rachel Witte #richcon2012
A voter is turned away at the polls.
At Veterans Hall polling station Richmond resident Daniel shrugs, and says he was turned way and told he can only vote in Concord.
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 6, 2012
Tony Fortune, Richmond resident, put it simply when asked what he cares about most this election: “Obama!” Photo by: Rachel Witte
Rachelle Cuevas, 21, a first-time voter, said the most important thing she voted for today was the president. “I believe that has the biggest impact on the country,” she said. Photo by: Rachel Witte
A couple walks in to vote at Nevin Community Center. Have you voted yet?
Check out these Obama earrings.
Jamaillah Jermon sports Obama earring s to the polls. No long lines on Richmond’s south side. (Photo by: Jason Jaacks) twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 6, 2012
Here’s another shot from the Veterans Hall polling station.
This trailer sits across the street of the veterans hall polling station, facing the door voters walk through. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 6, 2012
A scene from the polling station at Veterans Hall.
Jim Rodgers, says hello to voters in the parking lot of the Veterans Hall polling station. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 6, 2012
Councilmember Corky Boozé cruises down McDonald Ave. with No on N posters covering his truck.
Richmond Councilmember Corky Booze cruised down Macdonald Ave. in a U-Haul truck covered in No on N posters. instagr.am/p/RtLSlJFazo/
— Rachel Witte (@rachel_witte) November 6, 2012
If you haven’t voted yet, make sure to check out our coverage on the California Propositions and KQED’s proposition guide.
Haven’t voted yet? Check out our California Proposition guide: ow.ly/f4suP #election2012 #VoteCA
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) November 6, 2012
Richmond Confidential staff are out and about covering the elections. Here is one of the first images to come in. Stay tuned for more updates
Carlos Martinez hits the streets to get out the vote. twitter.com/riconfidential…
— RichmondConfidential (@riconfidential) November 6, 2012
Filed under: Election 2012, Featured, Front, Government
Tagged: election 2012, Latest Election News, Measure N, richmond election
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Awesome election coverage. I had a blast tuning in.