The latest results of the June 2 measure to remove San Benito County Supervisor Ignacio show “yes” votes leading by 36 votes, with only 285 ballots left to count throughout the county.
As of 7pm June 9, a total of 1,291 voters in Velazquez’s District 5 cast “yes” ballots to recall the supervisor. “No” votes add up to 1,255, according to elections officials.
Velazquez can be removed from office with a simple majority of “yes” votes. If the recall is successful after all the ballots are counted and the results are certified, Gov. Gavin Newsom will be called on to appoint a replacement for Velazquez.
A total of 2,546 ballots have been counted in the District 5 recall race.
In other election results, most local incumbents on the June 2 ballot continue to hold commanding leads.
An exception is County Auditor-Controller Joe Paul Gonzalez, who continues to trail Laura Gracilazo. Gracilazo leads the ballot count with 56.67%, or 8,476 votes, according to the San Benito County Registrar of Voters office. Gonzalez has received 43.43% or 6,507 votes.
In the race for County Superintendent of Schools, where no incumbent was on the ballot, Jennifer S. Logue (54.83% of counted votes) continues to hold a lead over Gwen Baquiran (45.17 percent).
Supervisor Mindy Sotelo holds about 73% of the vote in District 3, ahead of Peter Hernandez. District 4 Supervisor Angela Curro leads her challenger, Hollister Mayor Roxanne Stephens, with 66.07% of the vote.
County Clerk-Recorder Francisco Diaz has garnered 82.59% of the ballots cast in his race against Dane Sanchez.
And the Measure D Cannabis Business Tax maintains a strong lead with 4,390 “yes” votes, or 67.49% of the ballots counted, according to the registrar’s office. “No” votes add up to 2,115 or 32.51% of the count.
The Measure D ordinance will allow the county to tax cannabis cultivation in unincorporated areas at a rate of $1,000-$10,000 per acre. All revenues will go to the county’s general fund, which pays for local public safety, road improvements and other services.
With the latest ballot tally, the local voter turnout has surpassed 36% in the June 2 election, according to election officials.
Elections officials plan to release another ballot count update by 7pm June 12.
