Cano leads Clerk-Recorder race in early returns 

Cano Maintains Strong Early Lead in Clerk-Recorder Race

Incumbent San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano holds a commanding early lead in her bid for re-election, capturing 61 percent of the vote in preliminary results from Tuesday's primary election, according to New Times SLO (Atascadero).

With approximately 20 percent of ballots counted as of Wednesday morning, Cano holds a 34-point advantage over challenger Vanessa Rozo, who received 27 percent, while Gaea Powell trails with 12 percent, the New Times SLO (Atascadero) reported.

The Clerk-Recorder position oversees county elections and maintains vital public records including property deeds, marriage licenses, and birth and death certificates across San Luis Obispo County, including Atascadero.

Thousands of Ballots Still to Be Processed

Election officials will release the next batch of results by 5 p.m. Thursday, according to Erin Clausen, spokesperson for the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office. This update could include between 15,000 and 20,000 additional votes.

An estimated 40,000 ballots remain outstanding as of Wednesday, including mail-in ballots dropped off at polling locations on Election Day and additional ballots arriving by mail this week.

California law requires counties to complete most ballot counting by June 15, with final official results due July 10 according to the California Secretary of State.

Rozo Remains Optimistic Despite Large Deficit

Rozo, an Oceano business owner, expressed optimism about her chances despite trailing by more than 18,000 votes. "I am fully optimistic because the fact is that things can change [in] a heartbeat," she told the New Times SLO (Atascadero). "There is still a lot of ballots to be counted, and this could be very close."

Rozo's campaign has focused on what she describes as ongoing issues in election administration, particularly around voter education and polling place procedures. She reported raising approximately $10,900 in 2026, plus $80,770 in 2025, mostly from a $77,000 loan to her campaign.

Cano's campaign reported $20,750 in contributions this year, along with $714 in 2025, according to campaign finance disclosures.

Third Candidate Faces Criminal Charges

Powell, the third-place candidate, faces nine criminal charges from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office related to alleged election fraud in the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.

The charges include voter registration fraud, filing false nomination papers, and fraudulent voting during her campaigns for Arroyo Grande mayor. Powell has pleaded not guilty and is representing herself in the criminal case.

Despite the legal issues, Powell said her campaign focused on "transparency, accountability, election integrity," and that she plans to continue advocacy outside elected office.

What's Next for Atascadero Voters

If Cano maintains more than 50 percent of the vote when counting concludes, she will win the election outright without a November runoff. The race is nonpartisan, and the position carries a four-year term.

The county maintains an Elections Office in Atascadero on the second floor of the Atascadero Library, which served voters during the election period.

Election officials continue processing and verifying remaining ballots, with public observation opportunities available during the counting process at the Elections Center in San Luis Obispo.