Support for Measure J increases in latest ballot count, but still not enough

With more than 200,000 votes still to be counted, the November ballot measure to extend a county transportation tax inched closer Tuesday to the two-thirds majority needed to pass, but still remained behind by about one percentage point.

Measure J, which would extend for three more decades a 30-year, half-cent tax for transportation projects voters originally passed in 2008, now has 65.33% approval, according to the latest update county officials released Tuesday.

After the voting on Nov. 6, Measure J garnered 64.72% support with 100% of precincts reporting. But close to 800,000 vote-by-mail and provisional ballots were uncounted.

Slowly, and with a little fluctuation, support has risen above 65% but has not increased dramatically enough to break the two-thirds threshold. According to a news release from the county registrar-recorder, about 215,990 ballots still remain to be counted. The next official update, county officials said, will be Friday at 1 p.m.

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