Measure R is a horse race

This race is turning into a real squeaker: With just over half the votes counted, the half-cent sales tax proposal is sitting at the exact two-thirds mark, as of 12:28 a.m. But there are still a lot of votes to be counted.

If you're still awake and reading this, here's a fun way to geek out as the returns keep pouring in. The name of the game is to try to figure out which votes have been counted and which haven't. One way to do that is to track how the votes are being counted in Assembly races across L.A. County.

And, whichever side you're on regarding Measure R, there are good and bad signs. At this hour, it appears that a majority of votes still must be counted in the 42nd and 47th Assembly districts on the Westside -- prime subway and Expo Line territory. In other words, likely a hotbed of Measure R support.

On the other hand, over half the precincts are reporting in the three Assembly districts that cover much of the San Gabriel Valley.

Good news for Measure R supporters, eh?

Not so quick. The vote counting is lagging in the 36th Assembly district in the Antelope Valley. This is not exactly subway territory and an area that Measure R supporters believe will hit the brakes when it comes to voting for a tax increase.

All this is a good way of saying the night is still young, Bottleneckers. With $1.25 in hand, I'm going to fetch another Diet Dr. Pepper.

--Steve Hymon

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Comments

[Kymberleigh Richards]

I'm going to hold you to that, Fred.

[Steven Chan]

Good to hear that I'm not the only one keeping track of Measure R tonight (here at the Orange County Transit Blog). I'm wondering... would you happen to know what kinds of things Metro has planned for its "link to Santa Ana" project, via the old Pacific Electric rail?

[Fred Camino]

I'm up all night. If this passes I'm bringing back the MetroRiderLA blog. If not... well....

[David Murphy]

A friend just called to say they heard a radio station (not sure which one) has called Measure R as passing!

That said., right now LAVOTE.net has 70% of precincts reporting and 67.08% of votes yes. Fingers crossed...