Potential runoff in Inyo District 1

As predicted by Kammi Foote, Inyo County Registrar of Voters, voters did not exactly flock to the polls on Tuesday. In one of the lowest voter turnouts on record, not even the only county elected official’s seat being contested, that of 1st District County Supervisor Linda Arcularius, has been decided.

Voter turnout was very low at 9% and there were 1400 absentee ballots dropped off at the polling stations that have yet to be counted. According to the election office located at the Inyo County Superior Courthouse, the soonest the public will have word on the preliminary final results will be on Monday.

Voters had little to be excited about. Most of the names listed on the ballot for Inyo County elected officials were unchallenged incumbents. The only non-incumbent besides the three candidates for District 1 Supervisor was Dave Stottlemyre for County Assessor. And even he ran unopposed.

The results for the undecided District 1 Supervisor race is Dan Totheroh with 311 votes (48.59%); David Tanksley with 259 votes (40.47%); and Bill Stoll with 70 votes (10.94%). The race may hinge of the absentee ballots still to be counted. If no one wins over 50% of the votes cast, Dan Totheroh will face off with David Tanksley on Tuesday, November 4.

Votes for candidates in key races other than local County officials were not surprising. For Governor, Jerry Brown won 54.4% of the vote state-wide; 41.13% in Inyo County. For Lt. Governor, Gavin Newsom took 49.8% state-wide; 35.36% in Inyo County. For 8th District Congressional Seat, Paul Cook won reelection with 57.8% of the vote in the district; 46.9% in Inyo County. For State Assembly 26th District, Rudy Mendoza took 38.6% of the vote in the district; 28.68% in Inyo County.

Both Propositions 41 (Veteran Housing and Homeless Bond) and Proposition 42 (Public Records. Open Meetings. Reimbursement) passed state-wide. Inyo County split with 59.61% voting yes on 41 and voting against 42.