Napa County’s Measure C curbing vineyard development too close to call

Napa County election workers still need to process 10,000 to 20,000 ballots to determine which side prevailed in the tightly contested fight over a controversial ballot measure that would limit vineyard development in woodlands and along waterways, the county’s top election official said Wednesday.

The election results for Measure C remained unchanged Wednesday, with the measure’s proponents holding a 40-vote lead of 7,188, compared to the “No” vote of 7,148.

The next ballot update likely will take place Friday afternoon, said John Tuteur, the county registrar of voters.

However, he added, “With a race this close, it’s probably not going to be over until I certify” the election.

That likely will happen sometime the week of June 25.

The vote’s outcome is being watched closely by Sonoma County activists who maintain that more should be done to curb the impacts of winery tourism on rural residents and the environment.

You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 707-521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com.