Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s U.S. Senate race remains too close to call Wednesday.  Incumbent Republican Gordon Smith had about a 10,000 vote lead over Democrat Jeff Merkley as of 11 a.m.  But many of the uncounted votes come from the Portland area, where Democratic candidates typically do well.

That’s why Merkley spokesman Matt Canter says the Oregon House speaker isn’t giving up yet. 

Matt Canter: “We are extremely confident at this point, extremely optimistic.  There are close to 200,000 votes left to be counted in Multnomah County alone.”

Heavily Democratic Lane County also has a high number of uncounted ballots.  

State elections officials say the sheer length of the ballot is slowing down the counting process.  

Elections workers are required by law to count nonstop until a total is reached.