Margaret Mims stretched out her lead over Cal Minor in the race to be the next sheriff of Fresno County -- she leads by about 1,000 votes after the latest updated count on Friday -- but there are still ballots to be counted. Mims isn't claiming victory and Minor isn't conceding, although Mims has celebratory T-shirts ready to go, according to one source.
It doesn't appear the vote count will be final until Wednesday, so we keep holding our collective breaths.
To show the how long these Provisional ballots take to process, in the 3 days after the election till the first update that Friday they averaged 6,043 votes counted a day. In the 5 working days that followed that 1st update till last night's announcement, they only averaged about 3,289 a day. With all the checking of addresses, correct precincts, or ability to vote for certain candidates it's very time consuming process. With 5-6000 Provisional remaining, they SHOULD have it done to without a doubt at 4pm Wednesday. Something to be thankful for come Thanksgiving Thursday.
Dear Santa,
My apologies for this early wish but many have been patient enough. I have a special request please? It is in high demand here for some in Fresno County, but if you could find it in your heart to deliver a special something early? All I want for Christmas is the end to this ballot counting today at 4pm. Yes, a final count on this Sheriff's race from the Elections office, that's all.
We've been very very good and patient and we promise to give extra thanks on Turkey Thursday if you come through on THIS one. That's all we want. Please. Just that AND well, a Sony Play-Station 3 that I can over price and sell on eBay so to help finance the Sheriff's Department for the next year with the profits. Just a thought (and a whole other topic listed on Opinion Talk too)!
Not a big request really and you don't even have to put on the red suit or extra padding at all. Yes padding, as I heard about that gastric bypass surgery and weight loss. Anyway, the final numbers would be a good early stocking stuffer for everyone prior to stuffing that turkey tomorrow! Off to find you some low carb cookies or basically an empty plate. Good luck with this request and good luck Margaret Mims!
Signed, someone that has been very very good even when it would've been very easy to not have taken the higher road. Thank you Santa!!!
*************************
To everyone here, (everyone) have a safe, healthy, and Happy Holiday Season! "Rita"
Well, the new count is in, and Mims still leads by over 1,000 votes. Can we expect a concession speech from Minor soon?
Time for another update. As of 4 p.m. today, Mims leads Minor by 1044 votes, with 200-300 provisional ballots left to count.
Victor Salazar said it is "an impossibility" for Minor to win now.
Mims is the new Sheriff!!!
Bad math R Us? ha ha
Also there was a missed keystroke in the wee hours for the front page report.
The current (and winning) lead IS 1,017 and not 1,014 as reported on the front page of the Bee, or the 1044 difference stated above.
Halfway down on the Elections Office's page here:
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/2850/Results/results-1.htm
You'll see the current numbers for the Sheriff's race.
Even with several thousand counted in the last few weeks to have such a slim increase in the spread really shows what kind of race this was! Hopefully though now everyone WILL come together as one and dare I say it.. "Support their local Sheriff!" in all her good work to come!