A MEASURE TO authorize imposing a tax on the sale of cannabis products is winning in Huntington Beach (Shutterstock).

UPDATE: The margin between “yes” and “no” votes in a proposed tax on cannabis products in Huntington Beach has narrowed since the initial reports from the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

The latest tally – made just before midnight – showed 17,543 in favor (66.32 percent) in favor, with 8,908 against (33.68 percent). A two-thirds approval – 66.67 percent – is needed for the special tax (Measure C) to be enacted.

In the State Senate 36th District race, Republican Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen has widened her lead over Democrat Kim Carr, a member of the Huntington Beach City Council, by 57.47 percent to 42.53 percent.

In the 70th State Assembly District contest, Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen, the only Democrat in the race, is still in first with 38.47 percent of the vote, trailed by Republican Tri Ta (22.22) percent. Under California’s “top two” system, the candidates who finish first and second in the primary – regardless of party – face off in November.

–––––––––––––––––

Early results from Tuesday’s Orange County primary election show Huntington Beach’s proposal to tax cannabis sales winning by a wide margin, and a proposal to eliminate direct election of the mayor of Westminster failing.

The statistics released at 8 p.m. Friday by the Orange County Registrar of Voters are all mail-in ballots so far.

In Huntington Beach, voters were approving a tax on cannabis by a margin of 70.64 percent (14,297 votes) to 29.36 percent against (5,941 votes). That’s Measure A.

Since it’s a special (rather than general) tax it needs a two-thirds support for passage.

In Westminster, voters were rejecting Measure C, which would eliminate the elective office of mayor, by a margin of 58.6 percent (4,131 votes) to 41.40 percent (2,919).

A close race is emerging for the 36th State Senate seat, Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen, a Republican, has a narrow lead over Democrat Kim Carr, a member of the Huntington Beach City Council.

Nguyen has 51.07 (44,548 votes) to Carr’s 48.93 (42,675).

In the 70th Assembly District race, Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen, a Garden Grove councilmember, is leading the field with 42.84 percent (14,255). She’s the only Democrat in the field.

Running second is Westminster Mayor Tri Ta with 22.79 percent (7,585 votes), followed by Westminster Councilmember Kimberly Ho and Fountain Valley City Councilmember Ted Bui ( 4,183 votes and 4,148 votes, respectively).

California’s primary elections are on a “top two” basis. Candidates finishing first and second – regardless of party – in June will face off in the general election in November.

We will have updates as new results come in.