Thousands of ballots remain to be counted in Lake, Mendocino counties

With thousands of ballots left to be counted, close races in Lake and Mendocino counties may not be decided until early next month.

In Mendocino County, more than twice as many ballots remain to be tallied as were counted on election night, according to the clerk-recorder’s office. There are 25,567 mail-in and provisional ballots left to be counted, compared with 12,032 that had been counted as of Nov. 9.

In Lake County, the number of mail-in and provisional ballots that remain to be tallied - 11,991 - is almost as many as were counted on election night, 13,484.

Despite the outstanding votes, final election results tend to mirror the early returns, except in the closest of races.

In Mendocino County, tight races include the Willits City Council, where just one or two votes can make the difference between winning and losing.

A Ukiah sales tax increase, which is leading by just 52 votes, is also too close to call.

In Lake County, one of the unresolved questions will determine whether or not to appoint, rather than elect, the Clearlake city clerk. On election night, the measure was leading by just 16 votes.

Counties have 28 days - through Dec. 6 - to complete their tallies and finalize the vote.