“This evening’s results are encouraging,” Lee said in a statement. “We are exceeding expected turnout for this special election, because the people of Oakland care deeply about our future. This is democracy at work, and I look forward to further election updates.”

Friday’s update of 45,851 votes leaves only around 300 ballots which the registrar has flagged for issues with voter signatures. Those ballots can still be resolved and counted up to two days before the registrar certifies the election. And ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted if they are received by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters office by April 22.

The new results reflect ballots mailed or dropped off on or before Election Day and leave turnout at nearly 38%.

“Even though the race tightened and suggested an upset was possible, Barbara Lee’s name recognition and popularity were simply too much to overcome,” said Justin Berton, an Oakland media strategist and former director of communications for Mayor Libby Schaaf. “It’s still a city divided electorally — and quite literally on a map — but now she’s won the opportunity to govern and galvanize residents, and unify Oakland as promised.”

Taylor and Lee topped the field of 10 candidates running to complete the term of former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled in November.