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CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The work to count all of the ballots submitted for the Nov. 5 presidential election is far from over.

The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has issued preliminary election results for the 48 precincts and the vote by mail ballots that were counted as of early Wednesday morning.

Out of 37,915 registered voters, only 7,960 ballots, or 20.99%, have been counted.

Presidential elections in Lake County generally draw more than 70% turnout — the 2020 presidential election had 78% turnout — so thousands more ballots are expected to be counted by the time the official canvass is completed and the election certified next month.

The Secretary of State’s Office said county elections officials must report final official results for presidential electors by Dec. 3 and all other state contests by Dec. 6. On Dec. 13, the Secretary of State’s Office will certify the results.

The preliminary totals of the Lake County races — including bond and ballot measures — follow.

COUNTY AND CITY RACES

District 1 supervisor

Helen Owen: 722 votes, 54.45%
John Hess: 604 votes, 45.55%

Clearlake City Council: Three seats

Mary Wilson: 428 votes, 14.63%
Jessica Hooten: 423 votes, 14.46%
Tara Downey: 401 votes, 13.70%
David Claffey: 360 votes, 12.30%
James Rivera, 358 votes, 12.24%
Joyce Overton: 356 votes, 12.17%
Brett Freeman: 325 votes, 11.11%
Russell Perdock: 275 votes, 9.40%

Lakeport City Council, Four-year term: Three seats

Kenny Parlet: 279 votes, 22.98%
Christina Price: 256 votes, 21.09%
Kim Costa: 236 votes, 19.44%
Carl Porter: 232 votes, 19.11%
Michael Froio: 211 votes, 17.38%

Lakeport City Council, Two-year unexpired term: One seat

Brandon Disney: 542 votes, 100%

Northshore Fire Protection District Director Upper Lake Zone: One seat

Walt Christensen: 120 votes, 54.05%
Gary Lewis: 102 votes, 45.95%

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Kelseyville Unified School District Governing Board Member: Three seats

Mike Brown: 1,039 votes, 35.64%
Sabrina Andrus: 757 votes, 25.97%
Gilbert Rangel, incumbent: 603 votes, 20.69%
Mary Beth Mosko, incumbent: 516 votes, 17.70%

Konocti Unified School District Governing Board Member: Two seats

Joan Shelley Mingori: 955 votes, 35.77%
Zabdy Neria, incumbent: 935 votes, 35.02%
Tina Viramontes: 780 votes, 29.21%

Lakeport Unified School District Governing Board Member: Three seats

Catherine “Cat” Dunne: 806 votes, 33.97%
Scott Johnson: 575 votes, 24.23%
Jennifer Richardson, incumbent: 535 votes, 22.55%
Dan Buffalo, incumbent: 457 votes, 19.26%

Middletown Unified School District Governing Board Member, Four-year terms: Two seats

Annette Lee: 514 votes, 38.85%
Zoi Ann Bracisco, incumbent: 481 votes, 36.36%
Frederic Fahey: 328 votes, 24.79%

Middletown Unified School District Governing Board Member, Two-year unexpired term: One seat

Patricia Patchie: 519 votes, 52.85%
Nathan Willis: 463 votes, 47.15%

Yuba Community College District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 7

Doug Harris, incumbent: 1,623 votes, 56.12%
Jeffrey Lee Dryden: 1,269 votes, 43.88%

BOND AND ADVISORY MEASURES

Kelseyville Unified School District Measure R: Must have 55% support to pass

Yes: 937 votes, 53.27%
No: 822 votes, 46.73%

Konocti Unified School District Measure S: Must have 55% support to pass

Yes: 1,335 votes, 59.60%
No: 905 votes, 40.40%

Advisory Measure U, to change “Kelseyville” to “Konocti”

No: 5,429 votes, 71.99%
Yes: 2,112 votes, 28.01%

South Lake County Fire Protection District Measure T

Yes: 920 votes, 73.42%
No: 333 votes, 26.58%

STATE AND FEDERAL RACES, LAKE COUNTY PRELIMINARY COUNT ONLY

Member of the State Assembly, Fourth District

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, incumbent: 4,081 votes, 53.34%
Darren T. Ellis: 3,570 votes, 46.66%

United States Representative, Fourth District

Mike Thompson, incumbent: 4,255 votes, 54.73%
John Munn: 3,520 votes, 45.27%

United States Senator, full term

Adam Schiff: 3,912 votes, 50.39%
Steve Garvey: 3,852 votes, 49.61%

United States Senator, partial/unexpired term

Adam Schiff: 3,832 votes, 50.13%
Steve Garvey: 3,812 votes, 49.87%

United States President and Vice President

Kamala Harris/Tim Walz: 3,899 votes, 49.57%
Donald Trump/JD Vance: 3,772 votes, 47.95%
Robert F. Kennedy Jr./Nicole Shanahan: 100 votes, 1.39%
Jil Stein/Rudolph Ware: 42 votes, 0.53%
Chase Oliver/Mike Ter Maat: 22 votes, 0.28%
Claudia De La Cruz/Karina Garcia: 22 votes, 0.28%

STATE BALLOT MEASURES, LAKE COUNTY PRELIMINARY COUNT ONLY

Proposition 2: Bonds for Public School and College Facilities

Yes: 4,125 votes, 54.60%
No: 3,430 votes, 45.40%

Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage

Yes: 4,338 votes, 57.45%
No: 3,213 votes, 42.55%

Proposition 4: Bonds for Water, Wildfire and Climate Risks

Yes: 4,317 votes, 56.74%
No: 3,291 votes, 43.26%

Proposition 5: Bonds for Affordable Housing and Infrastructure

No: 4,352 votes, 57.86%
Yes: 3,169 votes, 42.14%

Proposition 6: Eliminates Forcing Inmates to Work

No: 4,476 votes, 60.17%
Yes: 2,963 votes, 39.83%

Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage

No: 4,022 votes, 52.87%
Yes: 3,586 votes, 47.13%

Proposition 33: Local Government Residential Rent Control

No: 4,644 votes, 61.32%
Yes: 2,930 votes, 38.68%

Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Revenues

Yes: 3,894 votes, 53.01%
No: 3,452 votes, 46.99%

Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal

Yes: 5,437 votes, 71.60%
No: 2,157 votes, 28.40%

Proposition 36: Increased Sentencing for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes

Yes: 5,375 votes, 70.77%
No: 2,220 votes, 29.23%

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will hear the latest on the Lake County College of Woodland Community College, and discuss housing plus new rules for tobacco retailers.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The agenda can be found here.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel.

Community members also can participate via Zoom. The webinar ID is 870 2149 1022, the pass code is 946430. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,87021491022#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 253-205-0468.

The council on Thursday will receive presentations of November's adoptable dogs, host the swearing-in of new Clearlake Police Department employees, and presentation of certificates to Trunk or Treat volunteers and donors, and presentation of certificates of appreciation to the Boyles Fire Local Assistance Center.

They also will hear a presentation by Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Lizette Navarette and Dean Korinda Ebenhack of Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus.

Under business, the council will consider the annual financial report and single audit report for Fiscal Year 2022-23, hear a presentation and consider establishment of a regional housing trust fund, discuss an ordinance establishing regulations for tobacco retailers, get updates on the Measure V project plan and the Boyles fire, and consider authorizing the fire prevention equipment operator position.

The council also will hold public hearings on a resolution authorizing the extension of the temporary road closure of certain roads to reduce illegal dumping and to protect the environment, and the public health and welfare, and consideration of appeals of orders to abate several properties.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes; a memo regarding holiday closures of the City Hall Administration Office; continuation of director of emergency services/city manager proclamation declaring a local emergency for winter storms; continuation of director of emergency services/city manager proclamation declaring a local emergency for the Boyles fire; authorization of job description and placement into salary schedule of the deputy city clerk/human resources technician I/II positions, Resolution No. 2024-49; authorization of the chief of crime reduction and innovation job classification and placement into the FY 2024/2025 Salary Schedule, Resolution No. 2024-51; and adoption of the second amendment to the FY 2024-25 Budget (Resolution 2024-30) adjusting appropriations and revenues, Resolution No. 2024-52.

The council also will hold a closed session discussion for labor discussions with unrepresented employees.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities have identified the Middletown man killed on Monday after his bicycle collided with a vehicle.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Matthew David Marx, 73, was the victim in the crash.

The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said Marx was riding his bicycle on Dry Creek Cutoff Road, approaching Highway 175, when the crash occurred at around 5 p.m. Monday.

The CHP’s report said Marx rode into the path of a 2019 Ford F-350 dually truck, towing a 2018 Carson utility trailer, driven by Richard Whalin, 60, of Yuba City.

Whalin swerved but couldn’t avoid hitting Marx, the CHP said.

Marx sustained major injuries and died at the scene, despite the efforts of South Lake County Fire Protection District firefighters, according to the report.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTH COAST, Calif. — On Wednesday, Community First Credit Union and Vocality Community Credit Union announced their intent to merge.

The two credit units said the merger will combine their strength, “optimize operational efficiencies, maximize value for members, be the employer of choice for its employees, and enhance community impact.”

Pending approval from the National Credit Union Administration, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and VCCU’s membership, the combined $965 million cooperative is projected to serve over 70,000 members through a network of 12 branches.

The merger, expected to be completed in 2025, has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors and leadership teams of both Community First Credit Union, or CFCU, and Vocality Community Credit Union, or VCCU.

Community First Credit Union was founded by local teachers in 1959 and today serves more than 60,000 local member-owners throughout the North Bay of California in Sonoma, Lake, Marin, Mendocino and Napa counties. It has $819 million in assets and has provided over $4 billion in local home and car loans since its inception.

Community First in its current form emerged from a merger with Mendo Lake Credit Union and Community First Credit Union which was completed in July 2017.

Vocality Community Credit Union was founded in 1980 by residents of Humboldt County and later expanded to serve over 9000 members from five counties including Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties.

Following the anticipated merger approval, CFCU and VCCU will continue to operate independently until the completion of the system integration process.

The newly combined organization will operate under the Community First Credit Union charter and name. Scott Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Community First, will continue as the combined credit union’s president and CEO.

Pat Neighbors, president and CEO of VCCU, will serve as chief strategy officer of the combined credit union.

“With this merger, we’re bringing together our strengths to build a more robust financial partner for our members and local communities,” said Johnson. “Our shared vision is to provide an exceptional digital banking experience, greater convenience and the innovative products and services our members expect. This merger is all about investing in our members’ futures, ensuring that we’re positioned to meet their needs today and tomorrow.”

“This collaboration with Community First Credit Union presents an incredible opportunity to expand the financial possibilities for our members,” said Neighbors. “Together, we’re combining decades of expertise and a mutual commitment to delivering the highest standards of service, access, and financial support. We’re thrilled to come together to create something exceptional for our members, employees, and local communities.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The early results in the race for the District 1 supervisorial seat once again show a tight race that isn’t expected to be decided until final results are certified next month.

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, the count released by the Lake County Registrar of Voters showed the race between District 1 Planning Commissioner John Hess and rancher Helen Owen as being separated by a narrow margin.

Owen was shown as leading with 722 votes, or 54.45%, to Hess’ 604 votes, or 45.55%.

At that point, all 12 precincts had been counted but many more ballots are yet to be tallied.

The two also had a tight race in March. Hess held a two-vote lead over Owen in a five-candidate field in the initial March primary tally. However, with the final count in April, Owen took the lead. She received 1,185 votes, or 39.06%, followed by Hess, with 1,006 votes or 33.16%.

“That’s exactly what I’ve expected,” said Hess in the phone call with Lake County News soon after the first early results were announced on election night.

“I just think it’s too early to do much interpreting, with only 13% of that vote in,” said Hess of the ballots that had been counted at that point.

The best insight he had, Hess said, was that he's “cautiously optimistic.”

On Election Day, Hess said he waved signs on Highway 29 and Hartmann Road, and made a lot of phone calls with people, “urging them to vote.”

Then he went to an election party with some candidates running for other races such as the Clearlake and Lakeport city councils. Hess said the party was held at Clearlake Mayor David Claffey’s home, who’s also in a re-election campaign.

Hess headed home at about 10 p.m. “I’ll be checking repeatedly,” he said of the election results that were expected to be updated throughout the night on the county’s website.

For Owen, who is temporarily nine votes behind, “I’m glad the campaign’s over.” It also feels like a replay of the primary election earlier this year.

“In March, I was down and then the week before it was finalized, I jumped up,” she said. “I have a lot of hope that we make it in and that we can get some stuff done.”

Owen said she spent most of the day at the roundabout at Highway 29 and Hartmann road with her team, waving signs, dancing with music played from her phone, for four hours in the morning and another four hours in the afternoon.

Owen couldn’t remember what time she left there, but “those street lights were on, so it was dark,” she said. After that she and her team celebrated the campaign in a watch party at the Lion’s Club.

“We ran a good campaign with a lot less money and I’m pretty proud that we were able to accomplish what we accomplished with a fraction of money,” she said.

This result is preliminary and is subject to change with more information released from the county’s Registrar of Voters. No new updates have been made on the race by 3 a.m.

Email Lingzi Chen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With only a small percentage of the thousands of ballots cast in Lake County counted, most races in Lake County on Wednesday remain too close to call even in an initial count.

By 4 a.m., initial counts of the county’s 48 precincts had been completed, putting the count at just under 21% of registered voters.

Based on past presidential elections in Lake County, voter turnout is expected to be over 70% when the final count is completed.

With the California Secretary of State’s Office reporting it must fully certify all races by Dec. 13 — with county elections offices to complete their work between Dec. 3 and 6 — it will be weeks before most races will be known definitively. 

Early Wednesday, candidates in city council and school board races were separated by narrow margins with only fractions of the total votes counted.

At the elections office, thousands of ballots are waiting to be tallied during the official canvass period, which starts Wednesday.

One race that does appear to have a clearer potential outcome revolves around Measure U, the countywide advisory ballot measure that asks if the name of the town of Kelseyville should be renamed to Konocti.

Based on the early count of 48 county precincts, “no” votes totaled 5,429 or 71.99%, versus “yes” votes of 2,112, or 28.01%.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.