Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, March 9. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Get this in your inbox each week by signing up at LBPost.com/newsletters.

City meetings

Are Long Beach voters satisfied with how they vote? Is there a system that might make them happier?

A city commission is recommending the Long Beach City Council add a measure to the November 2026 ballot that, if passed, would replace our current system with ranked-choice voting. 

Backers laud the system, in which voters select candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one, for eliminating poor primary turnout and costly runoffs by awarding victory to candidates with the broadest voter support, even if they lagged in first-choice picks.

They also say it’s grown in popularity around the state, with Berkeley, Oakland, Redondo Beach, San Francisco and San Leandro all using it in their elections.

But most local jurisdictions in California continue to hold nonpartisan primary elections in which all parties run on the same ticket — known as a top-two or jungle primary. A general election is held only if no candidate wins more than 50% of the primary vote. 

Conversely, under ranked balloting, if no one candidate emerges with more than 50% of votes when “first choices” are tallied, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated. Ballots cast for the losing candidate are then switched to the voters’ second choice. The process continues until a winner emerges with a majority of votes in play.

The Equity and Human Relations Commission reviewed the system in a presentation on Feb. 4, recommending that it come forward to the City Council for a discussion. 

“At a time when polarization is at an all time high and trust in politicians, elections and voting is at an all time low, it is more important than ever to boldly affirm our commitment to fairness, justice, and inclusion by giving the voters of Long Beach a chance to consider for themselves the merits of ranked-choice voting for our city elections,” the commission said in a letter. 

It’s not clear yet if the council will take up the recommendation. Barring a signature drive, they must vote to put it on the ballot. It would also require the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder-County Clerk to guarantee it can afford to print separate ballots for this system. 

Other things to watch for this week:

  • The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday is expected to initiate the process of renaming the Los Altos Plaza Park to Park Estates Community Park.
  • The council will also discuss ongoing problems with vandalism to the city’s streetlight system, with recommendations expected to come back in 90 days on where to add lighting and how much it costs to remedy the problem. 
  • There will be a first reading of a new ordinance centered on at-home kitchen businesses that prepare and sell meals directly to customers.
  • Council members will review a $5.1 million contract with PATH to operate temporary city shelters, as well as a $6 million contract for the nonprofit to manage two year-round shelters starting on March 16. 
  • There will be a virtual town hall on March 18 for the public to give input on the upcoming assessment of accessibility barriers at and around the Port of Long Beach. To register, click here. 

Business events and information

  • Grant applications are reopening to small businesses in West Long Beach as part of the continued “Love Your Block Program.” Grants run up to $2,500, meant for additions that improve air quality, pedestrian safety and overall public health. Conditions for applying can be found here. 
  • The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Parkers’ Lighthouse (435 Shoreline Dr.). Guest speaker Rosemary Danon will talk about how local shops can take advantage of the upcoming 2028 Olympics and Paralympics to boost their business. Tickets are $35 for members; $45 for non-members. For more information, visit here. 
  • The city is hosting a “Doing Business with the City Expo” on April 2, starting at 1 p.m. at Wardlow Park Social Hall (3457 Stanbridge Ave.). The event will focus on businesses and vendors interested in selling their products and services to Long Beach, as well as getting their businesses involved in planning ahead of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games. For more information, RSVP here. 

ICYMI — California and national news

  • Labubu maker Pop Mart is opening U.S. headquarters in Culver City (L.A. Times)
  • Costco is now stocking British baked beans. For some in LA, it’s an ode to joy (LAist)
  • Plagued by delays, roads around Colorado Lagoon may open by summer, but construction will drag on (Long Beach Post)
  • A new pizza parlor opens in Belmont Shore from the people behind Anna’s Joint (Long Beach Post)