15,000 ballots left to be counted in Stanislaus County elections

MODESTO -- More than 15,000 ballots remain to be counted from Tuesday’s election, leaving murky the outcomes of a few races throughout Stanislaus County, Clerk-Recorder Lee Lundrigan announced late Wednesday afternoon.

Todd Aaronson remains hopeful that he can overcome a 184-vote deficit to Modesto Councilman Dave Lopez in their District 3 contest, while Lopez says he’s far enough ahead to claim victory.

Races for Modesto City Schools Board and the Sylvan Union School District appear too close to call.

More than 14,000 late absentees, or mail votes received too late for the registrar’s office to process Tuesday, and provisionals account for nearly 30 percent of all ballots cast in the election.