Override supporters take the lead in newest vote count

Ballots counted overnight brought brighter hope to supporters of a budget override for Maricopa Unified School District.

The 10-percent budget increase for MUSD was on Tuesday’s General Election ballot. The first numbers released by the Pinal County Recorder’s Office showed the measure trailing by fewer than 100 votes.

Now, the Yes votes have taken the lead with 55 percent.

“We are pretty excited about current ballot count,” Superintendent Steve Chestnut said. “Obviously these aren’t the final votes. We were down by 98 votes on the first count, but we knew that didn’t include the walk-ins.”

Vincent Manfredi, who led the Vote Yes, Maricopa, campaign, said this is the first time an override has had a lead in the voting after several failed attempts.

“We’re feeling very good about the numbers right now,” he said. “The community was prepared to pass an override this time. All they needed was a catalyst.”

The current margin is 854 votes out of 9,182 ballots counted. More than 2,000 ballots are still being counted from Maricopa precincts.

The Vote Yes, Maricopa, committee had 20 people outside the polls on Tuesday to talk to any voters with questions. Whatever, the final result, Chestnut said the committee has been the significant factor in winning more support to the override effort.

“The Vote Yes committee was absolutely amazing, and Vincent Manfredi did a superb job,” he said.