LONG BEACH : Officials Weigh Special Election in Council Race

Long Beach officials are considering whether to order a special election to resolve a chaotic City Council race in which the apparent loser emerged with a two-vote victory in June after a recount.

Community activist Tonia Reyes Uranga, the loser, had filed a suit challenging the narrow victory of Councilman Mike Donelon, charging that ballots were improperly tallied, among other problems.

The case went to trial last week, but Superior Court Judge Judith C. Chirlin halted proceedings Thursday to allow attorneys and the city to try to work out an agreement, attorneys said. The City Council met in a closed session Friday afternoon to discuss options to decide the issue, including the possibility of a special election. Council members would not comment after the session.

Attorneys for Donelon and Uranga said the candidates would support a new election. Assistant City Atty. Robert E. Shannon declined to comment.

The council is expected to make a decision today and the plan would be submitted to Chirlin on Wednesday for approval.

Uranga’s initial June 7 victory was overturned later that month when several uncounted ballots were found during a recount. The Long Beach city clerk’s office acknowledged that several ballots were inadvertently overlooked during the election night count.