Live Election Results: San Jose City Council District 3

San Jose District 3 Special Election: Gabby Chavez-Lopez frontrunner, likely to face Matthew Quevedo in runoff election

With more than 47,000 registered voters in San Jose's District 3, more than 14% of voters have cast a ballot.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The results are in for the District 3 special election in San Jose. There were seven candidates vying to fill the city council seat. Now Gabby Chavez-Lopez and Matthew Quevedo will face each other in a run-off on June 24.

There are over $47,000 registered voters in District 3, but this was a special election, and turnout was expected to be low. Those who cast their ballots clearly favored Quevedo and Chavez-Lopez the most.

"I feel so encouraged by the early results. We know that every single vote counts, especially in a local election, especially in a special election," said Chavez-Lopez.

What they're saying:

After campaigning since November to fill the seat held by former Council member Omar Torres, frontrunner Gabby Chavez-Lopez garnered nearly 30% of the votes on Tuesday night.

"They want a representative that’s going to fight for them, that’s going to be a leader on that council, that’s going to make the issues of District 3 of the utmost importance, because we know they are important to the city of San Jose," said Chavez-Lopez.

With more than 47,000 registered voters in District Three, so far more than 14% of voters have cast a ballot.

"We will wait for the bags to come back from the three voting centers. Once they come back, we’ll process, but we plan on updating official results every single day for a week. Then, after that, every other day," said Evelyn Mendez, Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters spokesperson.

Matthew Quevedo received more than 22% of the votes. Because no candidate received at least 50% plus one vote to qualify as the winner, Chavez-Lopez will likely face Quevedo in a runoff election.

"I’m focused on the things that they’re concerned about and that’s ending street homelessness, that’s rebuilding our police dept., that’s making sure we move faster to build housing and making sure that we’re supporting our small businesses," said Quevedo.

People voting at the Joyce Ellington Branch Library told us they came out to cast their vote because of the issues they believe need to be addressed, like safety, homelessness and mental health.

"The homeless situation and promises made to help them and just bad solutions in the past that haven’t worked, obviously, because I still see a lot of encampments," said Cindy Withers, who's lived in District 3 for over 40 years.

"I’ve lived at the address on 15th Street, and I think there have been more than 15 serious car wrecks. Cars flipped and stuff like that. We need to get a light in there," said Tyler Price, a District 3 voter.

Anthony Tordillos also received about 20% of the vote, but if the standings remain where they are, Chavez-Lopez and Quevedo will face each other in a runoff election on Tuesday, June 24.

Mayor Matt Mahan also released a statement saying:

"If these results hold, I feel very optimistic about our chances for change. Despite spending nearly $600,000 in special interest money, the Establishment’s chosen candidate barely got to 30%. When voters learn that Matthew Quevedo is the only candidate who supports a Responsibility to Shelter policy and tying pay raises for elected officials to measurable results, I think you will see voters rally around his campaign for change."

The backstory:

South Bay voters went to the polls Tuesday to elect the next city councilmember for San Jose's District 3.

Voters decided between seven candidates vying for the seat previously occupied by disgraced council member Omar Torres, who pleaded no contest Tuesday on child sex abuse charges.

The polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m.