Election officials in the Mason County Auditor’s Office have only a few ballots left to count and the latest results are close to being final. The next ballot count is set for November 26th. So far, 27,435 ballots have been counted increasing the election turnout in Mason County to 70 percent.

Still no significant change in the latest unofficial results. The numbers do NOT include write-ins. However, the number of write-ins are not expected to affect the outcome of any of the races.

Sharon Trask leads Kevin Schmelzlen for Mason County Commissioner District 3 now by 1,035 votes. Trask has 13,519 votes (51.99%) and Schmelzlen has 12,484 votes (48.01%). Trask will take the seat currently held by Terri Drexler who did not seek re-election.

Incumbent Casey Salisbury is returning as Mason County Sheriff defeating Darin Holland 65.79 percent (16,885 votes) to 34.21 percent (8,780 votes).

Patti McLean will take over as Mason County Assessor next year after defeating incumbent Melody Peterson 54.55 percent (13,679 votes) to 45.45 percent (11,399 votes).

Paddy McGuire’s lead on Charles Rhodes for Mason County Auditor is now 611 votes (2.48%). McGuire has 12,615 votes (51.24%) while Rhodes has 12,004 votes (48.76%). It appears McGuire will take the seat currently held by Karen Herr who is retiring at the end of the year.

George Steele will be taking the Mason County District Court Judge position currently held by Victoria Meadows. Steel has garnered 12,832 votes (57.92%) while Eric Valley has 9,323 votes (42.08%). Judge Meadows is retiring af the end of the year.

Thursday, election officials in the Mason County Auditor’s Office counted more ballots from Tuesday’s General Election. There are no significant changes to report. Here are the latest unofficial results:

Sharon Trask’s lead on Kevin Schmelzlen is now 976 votes. Trask has 12,677 votes (52%) while Schmelzlen has 11,701 votes (48%).

Incumbent Casey Salisbury continues to have a significant lead on Darin Holland for Mason County Sheriff. Salislbury has garnered 65.84 percent of the vote (15,848 votes) while Holland has 34.16 percent (8,224 votes).

Patti McLean increased her lead on incumbent Melody Peterson for Mason County Assessor. McLean’s lead is now 2,031 votes with 12,794 votes (54.31%) to Peterson’s 10,763 votes (45.69%).

Paddy McGuire’s lead on Charles Rhodes is now 630 votes for Mason County Auditor. McGuire has 11,868 votes (51.34%) to Rhodes 11,248 votes (48.66%).

In the race for Mason County District Court Judge, George Steele has 12,172 votes (58.52%) to Eric Valley’s 8,629 votes (41.48%).

More ballots from Tuesday’s General Election were counted Wednesday. There are no significant changes in the latest numbers.

Sharon Trask still leads Kevin Schmelzlen for Mason County Commissioner District 3. That lead is now 988 votes. Trask has 11, 018 votes (52.35%) while Schmelzlen has 10,030 votes (47.65%).

Incumbent Casey Salisbury maintains a substantial lead on Darin Holland for Mason County Sheriff. Salisbury has garnered 65.74 percent of the vote (13, 639 votes) to Holland’s 34.27 percent (7,112 votes).

Patti McLean increased her lead slightly on incumbent Melody Peterson for Mason County Assessor. McLean has a 1,690-vote lead with 11,015 votes (54.15%) while Peterson has 9,325 votes (48.85%).

In the race for Mason County Auditor, Paddy McGuire leads Charles Rhodes now 51.15 percent (10, 218 vote) to 48.84 percent (9,758 votes).

George Steele leads Eric Valley for Mason County District Court Judge.

After initial results from Tuesday’s General Election, Trask, Salisbury, McLean, McGuire, Steele, Sheldon, Griffey, and MacEwen lead their respective races. Fire District merger is passing. Carbon fee failing. Firearms and law enforcement measures are passing.

Sharon Trask has a 978-vote lead on Kevin Schmelzlen for Mason County Commissioner District 3. That’s 9,778 voting for Trask (52.63%) to 8,800 for Schmelzlen (47.37%). This position is currently held by Terri Drexler who did not seek re-election.

Incumbent Casey Salisbury has a sizable lead on challenger Darin Holland for Mason County Sheriff. Salisbury has 12,002 votes (65.59%) to Holland’s 6,296 votes (34.41%).

In the race for Mason County Assessor, challenger Patti McLean has 1,370-vote lead on incumbent Melody Peterson. McLean has 9,656 votes (53.82%) to Peterson’s 8,286 votes (46.18%).

For Mason County Auditor, Paddy McGuire is leading Charles Rhodes 51.17% to 48.83%. McGuire has 9,031 votes to Rhodes’ 8,619. This seat is currently held by Karen Herr who is retiring at the end of the year.

George Steele leads Eric Valley in the race for Mason County District Court Judge. Steele has 59.41 percent of the vote (9,402 votes) and Valley has 40.59% (6,424 votes). This position is currently held by Victoria Meadows who is retiring.

Ballots for the General Election need to be returned to the Mason County Auditor’s Office by 8 PM Tuesday or have a postmark no later than November 6th. There are several ballot drop box locations but no postage is necessary for those mailing in their ballots.

There are over 38,000 active registered voters in Mason County who will find four statewide initiatives, an advisory vote, and races for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, all three 35th State Legislative positions, and every elected office in Mason County on their ballot. There are also races for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge and Mason County Superior and District Court Judges.