The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to install community activist Imelda Padilla as a temporary voter on the city council following her victory in last week’s election for the sixth district.

Padilla defeated rival Marisa Alcaraz in the race for the San Fernando Valley seat, which has been vacant since former city council speaker Nuri Martinez stepped down last year. Padilla won nearly 56% of the vote, compared to Alcaraz’s 44%, according to the results released on Friday.

County officials said 446 mail-in ballots were backlogged and 446 mail-in ballots that arrived by Wednesday had not yet been processed. Election results will be confirmed on Friday.

City councilors wanted the Padillas in place before the three-week vacation began this week.

Section 409(b) of the City Charter states that the City Council “may appoint persons to serve temporarily until elections for vacancies have been held and the results of the elections certified and declared.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, city council members congratulated Padilla, who has served on the Sun Valley Community Council and has worked for local nonprofits.

“She is one of the hardest working people I know,” said City Councilman Eunice Hernandez, who represents the neighborhood on the city’s East Side.

“I’m really excited that you all are joining us in this space to see how we are moving forward for the better for all districts across the city,” Hernandez added. .

Padilla attended parliament Wednesday with her mother Glyceria, sister Carmen and two young nieces. “Let’s get down to business,” Padilla told parliament.

Padiya also apologized to her young nieces for the “language” heard at Wednesday’s city council meeting, including racial slurs and anti-gay epithets.

At Los Angeles City Council meetings, a small number of speakers routinely use graphic and vulgar language.

City attorneys argue that such speech is protected by the First Amendment.