David Alvarez

As candidates enter the final weeks before the first round of voting in the race to replace Bob Filner as San Diego's mayor, the labor-backed "Working Families for a Better San Diego" is out with a new study showing their preferred candidate, David Alvarez, moving into a virtual tie with recently converted fellow Democrat Nathan Fletcher.

The Washington, D.C.–based GarinHartYang outfit reported on Sunday, November 3, that Republican unity makes city councilman Kevin Faulconer the first ballot favorite, with 34 percent support — not enough to guarantee an outright victory in the primary. The poll also claimed to have determined that 16 percent of likely voters are still undecided.

According to polling results, Alvarez has 22 percent support to Fletcher's 21 percent, with Alvarez enjoying significant backing among Democrats (38 percent to 27) and Fletcher leading among Republicans (16 percent to 3, though 63 percent are firmly entrenched in Faulconer's camp).

Although interest in off-cycle elections is generally low and considered to favor conservative candidates, early interest in the mayoral contest has been high, with mail voting response already matching earlier special elections this year by the middle of last week.

Today, November 4, also marks the last day for San Diegans to register to vote in the special election — new registrants or those who have moved or changed their name since the most recent election need to re-register to be eligible. Voters can check their registration status here and, if necessary, re-register online or in person at the Registrar's office in Kearny Mesa or at any local post office, library, or DMV.