They're still counting votes

Republican Tony Strickland continues to build a lead over Democrat HannahBeth Jackson for the 19th District State Senate seat.

The district extends from Port Hueneme and Camarillo to Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and the northwest corner of L.A. County. The district also includes most of Santa Barbara County.

As of Wednesday, Strickland was edging out Jackson by about 2,200 votes. However, the L.A. County elections office, which has Strickland ahead by 4,195 votes (15,806 votes to 11,611), still reports 410,000 uncounted ballots.

In Ventura County, Strickland is also ahead, climbing to 124,141 votes over Jackson's 112,771. But at least 14,000 provisional ballots still out, according to the Ventura County elections office, and an unspecified number of absentee ballots.

Jackson still leads in her hometown of Santa Barbara, 70,098 to Strickland's 56,744. There are also uncounted votes in Santa Barbara County. Neither camp has conceded.

County officials must complete the election count by Dec. 2.

- Joann Groff