Arcata Council: White Leads, Strickland and Serna Separated by 12 Votes for Second Seat

ARCATA, Humboldt County — November 4, 2026. The city’s election for two council seats has a razor-thin margin for the second available position. Kimberley White held a substantial lead among six candidates, while Abigail “Abbie” Strickland was ahead of Genevieve Serna by just 12 votes in the last election-night report.

Candidate totals

The local newsroom Redheaded Blackbelt reported the following county figures: White 1,223 votes, Strickland 767, Serna 755, Blase Bonpane 572, Reese Halter 520 and Daniel John Shahin 455.

These totals reflect selections for candidates in a two-seat council race. The shares of candidate selections should not be described as the percentage of unique residents voting for a single candidate or as overall turnout.

What happened overnight

The 12-vote difference for second place persisted despite additional vote-center ballots appearing in the final election-night batch. The earlier report had also shown Strickland narrowly ahead. Further eligible ballots can still change the order, and the second seat should not be called.

Local representation

The elected councilmembers will take part in decisions over housing, city services, transportation and infrastructure. Follow the Humboldt County Office of Elections for later totals rather than assuming a 12-vote advantage is final.

Source snapshot: final election-night release discussed by Redheaded Blackbelt on November 4 at 12:53 a.m.. Results are unofficial.

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