By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

Novembr 15 -- As provisional and absentee ballots continue to trickle in a week after last Tuesday’s elections, the fate of a $40 million proposition to upgrade local storm drains remains afloat, but its lead is sinking.

Needing two-thirds of vote, the parcel tax on residents has seen the percentage of “yes” votes slowly dwindle to 66.68 percent Tuesday afternoon from 66.77 on election night.

The proposition needs at least 66.66 percent to pass.

As of late Tuesday, 17,823 residents had voted in favor, while 8,908 voted against the tax, eroding the margin on election night, when 16,623 local voters had said “yes,” while 8,273 opposed it.

Despite bringing two usually antagonistic key players into the fold – Santa Monicans for Renters Rights (SMRR) co-founder Denny Zane, who ran the campaign, and the Edward Thomas Management Company, which helped raise about $100,000 for the effort after spending the same amount opposing SMRR incumbent Kevin McKeown – the measure’s lead has shrunk.

Currently, County Registrar officials said 120,000 votes remain uncounted countywide. It is unknown how many of those are from Santa Monica.

While the fate of the parcel tax hangs in the balance, the outstanding ballots are having little impact in the race for three open City Council seats retained by incumbents last week.

Still in first place is Council member Kevin McKeown, who has gained nearly 900 votes, pushing his total votes to 12, 911.

Fellow SMRR incumbent Pam O’Connor gained nearly 1,000 votes during the past week, giving her 12, 273 votes, while Mayor Bob Holbrook gained nearly 800 votes, bringing his total to 11,983 votes.

In fourth place, Planning Commissioner Terry O’Day also picked up nearly 800 votes, boosting his total to 10,691 votes, up from 9,927 on election night.