As of election night, the $34 annual parcel tax for the San Mateo County Community College District was passing with the approval of the required two-thirds majority of voters, but the margin could hardly have been thinner -- and it may get thinner still.
A total of 48,321 voters, a 66.88 percent majority, supported the tax. If the margin shifts the other way and loses a mere 0.23 percentage points, the measure will fail.
The county has about 40,000 absentee and provisional ballots still to count, elections official David Tom said. The registrar's office has 28 days to finish the count, but it might be completed by the first week of July, Mr. Tom said.
If it passes, the tax is expected to generate about $6.5 million over four years, and will be used to help to restore classes, rehire teachers, and reduce the waiting list of students, which numbers around 14,000, district officials said.
The money would help counter state cuts to the district of $20 million over the current and coming budget years, officials said.
Property owners 65 years old or older can claim an exemption to the tax.
