Politics & Government

Scotts Valley Elections Uncertain with Uncounted Ballots

Over 30,000 ballots are left to be counted, leaving local races like the County Board of Supervisors race up in the air.

With an estimation of , it's far too early and too close to call at least one Scotts Valley race.

All precincts reported their results by late Tuesday night, but some mail-in ballots, provisional ballots, damaged ballots, military ballots and overseas ballots are still uncounted. 

It's likely that those ballots will have a significant effect on the race for Santa Cruz County Supervisor District 5, in which Bruce McPherson of Scotts Valley holds a miniscule lead over Eric Hammer of Brookdale.

Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With all precincts reporting, McPherson led Hammer by 26 votes.

McPherson, who held an election party at the Cowboy Grill in Felton on Tuesday, said he was prepared for a long campaign when he entered the race nearly a year ago. The two candidates rose to the top in a packed primary race in June, and have been campaigning vigorously for months.

Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hammer, during his election party at Don Quixote's in Felton on Tuesday, described himself as the underdog but remained optomistic at his chances.

With the current vote count, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors race also is close. Fewer than 700 votes separates the four-candidate field. The top three will be elected to the board.


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