Ed. note: The first post-election update — linked below — has not produced any noticeable, newsworthy changes in the results, with a couple of possible exceptions:

1. The Blue Lake insurgency ticket has increased its lead a tiny bit. Ryan wrote about that today.

2. Alex Stillman has crept up a little bit in Arcata, making Genevieve Serna a longer shot than she was previously.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Elections Office:

With 2,539 additional ballots counted, the Humboldt County Elections Office provides an update on the canvass process which ensures every vote is accurately verified and included.

The Humboldt County Elections Office has released its first post-election results update following Election Day, adding 2,539 ballots to the total count, bringing the total to 33,956 out of the county’s 84,741 registered voters.

Along with these updates, the Elections Office has officially begun the canvass period, a detailed review process that confirms the accuracy and integrity of the final election results. Running through Tuesday, Dec. 3, the canvass includes verification of all received ballots, including vote-by-mail, provisional and conditional ballots, to ensure every valid vote is counted before certification of the election.

The Elections Office has approximately 31,499 unprocessed ballots as of today, Friday, Nov. 8.

• Provisional: 2,004
• Vote-By-Mail: 29,461
• Ballots from Voting Locations: 34

Nearly all of these remaining ballots arrived on or after the Friday before Election Day, reflecting the trend of ballots being submitted close to or on Election Day. Of the 31,499 ballots that remain to be processed, 57 of the vote-by-mail ballots were received today, Friday, Nov. 8 and were postmarked on or before Election Day.

Under California law, vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted if they arrive within seven days after Election Day. Each mail-in ballot undergoes a careful signature verification process, with two election officials reviewing and comparing the signature on the ballot envelope to the voter’s registration record. If any discrepancies arise, voters are given the opportunity to resolve or “cure” the issue to ensure their vote is counted.

All valid vote-by-mail ballots will be counted regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race if they are postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 5 and arrive by Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Canvass Process Ensures Accuracy and Transparency

As part of the canvass process, Humboldt County election officials conduct a manual tally to verify the accuracy of machine counts. Required by California’s Election Code, this step involves a hand count of at least one percent of ballots to confirm that electronic results align with the actual votes cast. This process identifies any discrepancies, reinforces the reliability of reported results and strengthens public trust in the electoral process.

Additionally, Humboldt County’s large college student population impacts the election process. Many students register locally, often close to Election Day, resulting in a higher number of provisional ballots. Provisional ballots are used when voter registration details require further confirmation. By processing these ballots after Election Day, officials ensure that all eligible votes are accurately included, while validating voter records with care.

The Humboldt County Office of Elections will continue providing updates each Friday to keep the public informed on ongoing progress. Final certification of the election results is expected by Tuesday, Dec. 3. Through each step of this process, the Humboldt County Office of Elections is committed to delivering a thorough, accurate election outcome that reflects the voice of its voters.

For more information on the results of the election, please visit the Elections Results webpage or call 707-445-7481.