6:30 a.m. - Modesto voters were unable to decide who will lead the city as mayor in Tuesday's election. A runoff election next year will be necessary among the top two candidates.
Incumbent Modesto Mayor Garrad Marsh sought a second term running against four other candidates. But he fell short of the majority needed to win outright and will face former planning commissioner Ted Brandvold in a February runoff.
Brandvold says a second chance gives him hope.
"Definitely, I mean it says that there is enough people out there that want somebody different in the position for mayor," he says.
Voters also gave a thumbs down to Measure G which would have raised $14 million a year with a half cent sales tax, which would gone toward more police, fire, and code enforcement officers.
And an anti-sprawl initiative known as Measure I appears to be too close to call.
11:20 p.m. - Modesto voters are soundly rejecting a sales tax increase in early returns and appear to be sending the mayor's race to a runoff.
The half-cent sales tax increase known as Measure G was failing 56 percent to 44 percent - a margin of nearly 1,600 votes - with nearly all precincts reporting. Although the $14 million dollars a year that the measure would bring in could legally be spent on any city governmental purpose, city leaders have indicated they would put the money into the police and fire departments. Modesto voters rejected a similar tax measure two years ago - albeit by a much narrower margin.
Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor Garrad Marsh led four challengers with nearly 40 percent of the vote, short of the 50-percent majority needed to avoid a February runoff. Architect Ted Brandvold was holding down second place with nearly 30 percent, followed by Councilman Dave Lopez at 20 percent. Former Mayor Carmen Sabatino trailed with nine percent.
The closest nailbiter of the night appears to be Measure I, which would require a citywide vote to develop beyond three sides of Modesto's boundaries. The measure was winning by 41 votes with nearly every precinct reporting.
Elsewhere in Stanislaus County, Ceres Mayor Chris Vierra has won a second term after running unopposed.
Stanislaus County Registrar Of Voters
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