The June 2 measure to remove San Benito County Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez from office has narrowed with an updated ballot count over the weekend, with “yes” ahead by just nine votes.
According to the latest results posted by the registrar of voters office about 7pm June 5, a total of 1,094 voters in District 5 cast ballots to recall Velazquez. “No” votes total 1,085.
A total of 2,179 votes have been counted in the recall election, which only appeared on ballots in Velazquez’s supervisorial district.
Local election officials still have 2,079 ballots to count in the June 2 election. It is unclear how many of these outstanding ballots are from District 5 voters.
County Auditor-Controller Joe Paul Gonzalez continues to trail challenger Laura Gracilazo, who leads with 7,534 votes or about 56%, according to the June 5 update. Gonzalez has received 5,835 votes in the June 2 balloting.
In the race for County Superintendent of Schools, where no incumbent was on the ballot, Jennifer S. Logue (55.34% of counted votes) continues to hold a lead over Gwen Baquiran (44.66 percent).
Incumbents in other local races continue to hold firm leads. 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 82.61% of the ballots cast in his race against Dane Sanchez.
And the Measure D Cannabis Business Tax maintains a strong lead with 3,999 “yes” votes, or 67.63% of the ballots counted, according to the registrar’s office.
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 9.
