Time running out for Measure J transportation tax supporters

Time –- and outstanding ballots –- are running out for advocates of a proposed Los Angeles County transit tax extension that voters decided on earlier this month.

Measure J, which would extend for three more decades a 30-year, half-cent tax for transportation projects that voters originally passed in 2008, now has 65.66% approval, according to the latest updates from county officials released Monday. 

The measure needs a two-thirds majority to pass and initially garnered 64.72% support with 100% of precincts reporting immediately after the Nov. 6 election.

But close to 800,000 vote-by-mail and provisional ballots were uncounted, leaving Measure J supporters with hope that they could make up the small percentage difference needed to pass it. County officials have intermittently been releasing updates since Nov. 6; and support for Measure J, although fluctuating a little, has increased slightly, though not enough to cross the necessary two-thirds threshold.

According to Elizabeth Knox of the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office, tens of thousands of votes remain to be counted.

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-- Ari Bloomekatz