So you thought the elections were over?
Not just yet. Backers of a measure to fund transportation in Alameda County on Monday formally reserved the right to request a recount of ballots.
Measure B1 calls for an increased sales tax and bonds to help pay for improvement to roads, bicycle routes, bus service and an extension of BART to Livermore.
Because it includes a tax increase -- from the current 0.5 percent to a full 1 percent -- it needs a two-thirds majority of votes to pass. But after the Nov. 6 elections, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters counted 350,899 votes (66.53 percent) in favor and 176,504 (33.47 percent) against. If a recount found about 700 more "yes" votes, the measure would pass.
"The mandate is clearly there from Alameda County voters," said Arthur Dao, executive director of the Alameda County Transportation Commission, which floated the measure.
The registrar certified the vote last Wednesday, and the ATC had just five days to request a recount, meaning the deadline was Monday, Dao said. The ATC hasn't officially decided that it wants the recount to be done, but is formally requesting one so it doesn't lose the opportunity, he said. "It is highly likely we will request a recount."