Jovanka Beckles

The city of Berkeley took the first steps toward providing fare-free access to Sunday AC Transit bus rides originating in the city — garnering qualified support from many but facing an uncertain future.

Berkeley City Council voted unanimously to advance two citywide affordable housing initiatives as well as a budget referral for a homelessness coordinator for a portion of South Shattuck Avenue at its regular meeting Tuesday.

"I don't like Biden or Trump, so I'm not voting" is a sentence a lot of people have said this election cycle — but there’s a lot more than the presidential ticket on the ballot, and local elections matter now more than ever.

Black democratic socialist and children’s mental health professional Jovanka Beckles is running for the AC Transit Board of Directors in Ward 1 against 20-year incumbent Joe Wallace.

Buffy Wicks beat opponent Jovanka Beckles for the California State Assembly District 15 seat, receiving 56 percent of the vote with 100 percent of precincts reporting as of press time at 3:01 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Excitement and apprehension filled the air this morning as Berkeley voters began to trickle into polling locations scattered throughout the city to cast their ballots in the midterm elections.

California State Assembly District 15 candidates Jovanka Beckles and Buffy Wicks, as well as Berkeley City Council District 7 candidates Ces Rosales and Rigel Robinson, are among those with campaigns that have sent out texts thus far, urging supporters to vote or volunteer.

With about 2,500 people present, Lee — who is running for re-election against Laura Wells — and Sanders both addressed their political platforms, urging the community to vote in the upcoming midterm election Nov. 6.

This November, Berkeley voters have the opportunity to bring their city new representation at the state level. There are several critical seats up for election, including governor, secretary of state and state Assembly member in the 15th District — and Californians must to do their civic duty by showing up to the polls.

Both Democratic candidates have similar platforms, hoping to address the housing crisis, environmental issues and the criminal justice system.