North Valley Congressional race remains tight as counties update results

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The combat for Congress successful the North Valley is inactive connected the line, much than 2 and fractional weeks aft polls closed.

The state is waiting for results arsenic officials number ballots successful the rematch betwixt Republican incumbent John Duarte and Democratic challenger Adam Gray.

"We inactive person a small little than 3,000 ballots to number present successful Merced County," Registrar of Voters Mel Levey said.

"That consists chiefly of astir 2,000 conditional ballots that were formed mostly arsenic same-day registration."

Levey wants each ballot to count, but the process takes time.

"We really person to cheque their documentation.

We person to cheque their residency to guarantee that they're capable to formed these ballots," helium said.

Every ballot could marque a difference. Just 564 votes separated Duarte and Gray 2 years ago.

This time, the 2 campaigned for months, debated, and spent millions.

Each wanted to triumph by a larger margin, but this rematch appears adjacent tighter.

"We deliberation the remaining votes are astir apt provisionals and conditional ballots, and those person been breaking a small redder than the counties that they're in. So, we deliberation we've got a bully accidental astatine winning this race," Duarte said.

Preparations for the caller Congress are underway connected Capitol Hill, and Duarte's squad participated successful the bureau lottery.

"We've picked retired an office," helium said.

"We're talking to our staff. We're going guardant arsenic though we're going to service due to the fact that we privation to service the territory and the Central Valley families."

If Gray wins, he's already missed an important gathering arsenic caller lawmaker predisposition was past week.

We asked Gray for an interview, but his squad did not respond.

Now, the waiting crippled continues. Election officials successful Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties are up against the clock.

"I and my colleagues up and down the State certify connected December 3," Levey said.

"That day is acceptable by law. This year, we person nary wiggle room. We person to certify connected December 3."

The bluish portion of the Congressional territory is poised to find the outcome.

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