Oregon Public Broadcasting

The race for Oregon's public schools superintendent remains tight this week, as problematic ballots slowly get counted. Rob Manning reports.

The more than 15,000 votes yet to be counted could be significant in the close race for superintendent.

Incumbent Susan Castillo is holding off state representative Ron Maurer's challenge.

Don Hamilton with the Secretary of State's office says in every election, says some ballots are slow to be counted.

Don Hamilton: "We have to check some signatures that weren't turned in properly. There are ballots that have to be turned into their home counties that were turned into other counties around the state. All of those still have to be counted."

When results are official in 30 days, the superintendent's race could go one of several ways.

Maurer, or more likely Castillo, could win outright with more than 50 percent of the vote.

If the two are within two-tenths of a percent, there'd be an automatic recount.

It's also possible that the slim fraction of write-in votes could deprive both Maurer and Castillo of the 50-percent-plus-one necessary to win. In that case, they'd compete again in the fall.