A BUBBLING CAULDRON: A Third Of The OC Votes Remain Uncounted

REGISTRAR AND STAFF ARE HARD AT WORK
Today, while most of us pause to honor our veterans on this special day, Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley and his small army of worker-bees (240 strong) continue to plow through the mountains of ballots submitted in this election cycle.

WHAT'S LEFT TO COUNT?
As I've said MANY times in the past few days, this election if FAR from over. You can go to the "What's Left To Count" page, HERE, for real-time numbers. Let me summarize it for you as of 10:00 a.m. Friday.

Estimates of Ballots Left To Count - 411,049
Vote-by-Mail Ballots Left to Count - 85,791
Provisionals Left To Count - 108,000
Vote-by-Mail Ballots Returned at the Polls Left to Count - 184,174
Election Day Paper Ballots Left To Count - 22,500
Eligible Vote-by-Mail Ballots Received After Election Day Left To Count - 10,584

That first number has gone up as the mail is delivered and it is anticipated that it will continue to rise today and tomorrow.

STILL RETRIEVING THE MAIL
I'm told by representatives of the Registrar of Voters office that they are working hard today and will do so through the weekend. Although there is no mail delivery today the ROV has made arrangements to go to the Post Office and retrieve all mail awaiting delivery.

DAILY UPDATES PLANNED
I'm also told that there continues to be a plan to provide daily updates at 5:00 p.m. each day, but that there may be no update on Sunday.

COULD TAKE THE FULL MONTH TO CERTIFY
I'm also told that, due to the tremendous volume of ballots turned in this cycle, it may take two more weeks to complete the counting and certify the results. They are required to complete this work within 30 days of the election. If it takes that long and the results are not certified until December 8th, then the Costa Mesa City Council results will NOT be certified until after their first meeting in December, on the 6th.

CHILL OUT!
So, dear readers, while many of you are euphoric about some of the results, please understand that nearly ONE THIRD - of the Orange County votes have NOT been counted yet. Relax, enjoy this holiday and the weekend that follows. Go see "Hacksaw Ridge" to give you an even greater appreciation of what some veterans have gone through so we can have the opportunity to select those who represent us in government. Play with your kids. Relax...