In Hong Kong, a pro-democracy landslide

Record-setting throngs turned out Sunday for local elections, offering overwhelming support for the pro-democracy movement in a vivid expression of the city’s aspirations and its anger with the Chinese government.

Voters were choosing the district council, a lower rung of elected office focused on community issues like noise complaints and bus stop locations.

But with the city in its worst political crisis in decades, the race served as a referendum on the months of protests against Beijing’s growing influence.

By the numbers: Three million voters cast ballots, giving pro-democracy parties at least 201 of 452 elected seats, up from 124, and perhaps many more, according to local media outlets tallying early official results.