Voters To Choose Next Mayor Of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Voters will choose the next mayor of Los Angeles Tuesday.
The two Democratic candidates, Councilman Eric Garcetti and City Controller Wendy Greuel, cast their votes respectively just after the polls opened at 7 a.m.
The latest USC Price/LA Times poll showed Garcetti leading Greuel by seven points, but 11 percent of voters said they were still undecided.
In addition, the poll found that 20 percent of voters who have sided with a candidate may also elect to change their mind.
Voter turnout is expected to be low Tuesday and only 22.7 percent of vote-by-mail ballots had been returned as of Monday.
The Times reports that campaign spending surpassed $33 million due to super PACS and independent expenditure donors, which do not have to meet city donation limits. It is now the most expensive mayoral race to date.
Aside from the contest for mayor, voters Tuesday will also decide on the race for city attorney (incumbent Carmen Trutanich vs. Assemblyman Mike Feuer), city controller (Dennis Zine vs. Ron Galperin), several city council seats and three measures regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.
Polling locations close at 8 p.m.
The new mayor will take office on June 30, 2013, replacing Antonio Villaraigosa.
