Update: Nearly 1,700 ballots listed as "spoiled" and are still to be counted. Outcome of local races still uncertain.

The races still hang in the balance in San Juan County one full week after the November 3 general election.

A series of unexpected challenges have contributed to the delays. The factors range from unprecedented flooding before and on election day, to an emergency voting declaration by the State of Utah the day before the election, to unexpected medical challenges for key election officials in the San Juan County Clerk’s office.

With most votes counted, results are becoming increasingly clear after the November 3 general election. However, there are still approximately 1,675 ballots that remain to be processed.

This includes 1,374 ballots that were processed as “spoiled” by the technology that helps organize the vote count. These ballots may have been impacted by the State of Utah Emergency Declaration that allowed voters to vote via electronic ballot.

The email notification sent to voters on election day contained a number of confusing statements, including a deadline that had passed several hours before the emails had been sent, and ambiguous statements regarding submitted ballots that would be spoiled.

There are 248 of these electronic ballots that have yet to be counted because they are also listed as “spoiled” by the technology.

Duncan said that all of the “spoiled” ballots are in the possession of the San Juan County Clerks office and will be counted as soon as their status is determined.

In addition, there are approximately 50 ballots that need to be “cured” by the election office before they are counted. The curing process requires ballot review on a case-by-case basis to clarify items such as missing signatures.

When comparing the 2026 election to similar races in 2022, approximately 3,500 ballots have been counted thus far in 2026, compared to the 5,300 ballots counted in 2022. This 1,800 ballot difference between the two elections is close to the number of outstanding ballots that were spoiled and may need to be counted (approximately 1,675).

Voters who are concerned about their ballots can use “Track Your Ballot” to verify if their vote has been counted. A number of area voters state that their ballots are not showing up as counted, including many who mailed in the ballots long before election day.

You can check your ballot status by registering at trackmyballot.utah.gov .

Despite these remaining ballots, it is clear that the blue wave that swept the nation may result in a number of changes in local government.

It is certain that there will be a number of Democrats in elected office starting in 2027, four years after a similar wave in 2022 awarded every position in county government to Republican candidates.

Four Democrat candidates, including two members of the San Juan County Commission, are currently in the lead in their races for office. However, nothing is settled with the outstanding ballots yet to be counted.

“These uncounted votes could change the outcome in every local race,” said Clerk Lyman Duncan.

Democrat Terry Whitehat has built a sizeable lead over Republican incumbent Silvia Stubbs in the race for San Juan County Commission District Two. Whitehat is the choice on 571 ballots (60.3%), compared to 376 for Stubbs (39.7%).

In the 2022 race for the same seat between Stubbs and Willie Grayeyes, 1,480 votes were cast, compared to the 947 votes currently counted in the 2026 race.

In the race for Commissioner in District Three, Norman Lameman leads incumbent Jamie Harvey by a similar margin, 59.3% to 40.7%. Lameman has 831 votes, compared to Harvey’s 570.

In the 2022 race for the same seat between Harvey and Kenneth Maryboy, more than 2,000 votes were cast, compared to the 1,401 votes currently counted.

While the commission races seem to be leaning in favor of the Democrat candidates, two other county races seem too close to call.

In the race for San Juan County Clerk, Republican incumbent Lyman Duncan has a 75-vote lead over Democrat challenger Daylene Redhorse. Duncan has 1,789 votes (51.1), compared to 1,714 for Redhorse (48.9%).

In the 2022 race for the same seat, more than 5,300 votes were cast, compared to the 3,503 votes that have been counted in the current race.

In the other close race, Democrat challenger Avery Olson has a narrow 50-vote lead over Republic incumbent Lehi Lacy to serve a four-year term as San Juan County Sherriff. Olson has tallied 1,758 votes (50.7%) compared to 1,708 (49.3%) for Lacy.

In the 2022 race for the same seat, nearly 5,300 votes were cast, compared to the 3,466 votes counted in the current race.

Even though the Sheriff’s race is closer than the Clerk’s race, the provisional and cured ballots may help Olson retain his narrow lead.

Republican incumbent Logan Monson will return to the Utah State Legislature for another term as he defeated Democrat challenger Tracie Yellowman Tso.

Monson totaled 8,828 votes (58%) to defeat Tso (6,398 votes – 42%) in the massive 69th legislative district. The two Blanding residents duked it out, with Monson narrowly edging Tso in San Juan County, and Tso earning the majority of votes in Grand County.

The deciding votes were cast in Kane, Garfield, Wayne, and Emery counties, where Monson pulled away to the strong vistory.

In the race for the local seat in Congress representing Utah’s Third district, Republican Celeste Maloy defeated Democrat Kent Udell by 55,000 votes. Maloy earned 57% of the vote, with Udell, a resident of Grand County, claiming 35%.

Voters in San Juan County mirrored the statewide results in two proposed Constitutional amendments. The local voters favored Amendment A – which changed legal notice requirements – and opposed Amendment B – which would change thresholds for voter initiatives.

Voters in San Juan County also approved Proposition 7 – which will establish a one percent sales tax to support Emergency Medical Services in the county. A total of 59 percent voted for the proposition, with 41 percent opposing.

A new San Juan County Assessor – Democrat William McFarland – was unopposed on the ballot and Republican Mitch Maughan was unopposed for San Juan County Attorney.

There were two unopposed candidates to serve on the San Juan School Board, including incumbents Don Mose III and Colleen Benally.

Approximately half of the remaining ballots are provisional ballots, with the other half needing to be “cured” by election officials due to a number of possible factors. The majority of the election day and mail-in ballots have been counted.

San Juan County Clerk Lyman Duncan said the remaining ballots need to be handled individually – on a case-by-case basis – and it may be several days before the outcomes are finalized.

Compounding the challenges was an unexpected illness in the elections office which sidelined a key member of the election staff.