Carmichael Water District: Jeff Nelson Leads John Wallace by One Vote

CARMICHAEL, California — November 4, 2026. A local water-district board contest in the Sacramento area has one of the smallest reported differences in Tuesday’s elections. Just one vote separates the two leading candidates in the Carmichael Water District’s Division 3 race.

Results: 410 votes to 409

Sacramento County’s semi-final election-night summary, timestamped 1:25 a.m. Pacific on November 4, reports Jeff Nelson with 410 votes (38.28%), John A. Wallace with 409 (38.19%) and Dru R. Enser with 252 (23.53%). A total of 1,071 votes was reported for candidates in this single-seat contest.

Because Nelson and Wallace are separated by only one vote, additional valid ballots or canvass adjustments could alter the reported order. This article does not declare a certified winner or predict who will ultimately hold the seat.

What the elected director represents

Carmichael Water District is a local public water agency with its own governing board. Board elections are separate from Sacramento County supervisor contests and from elections in neighboring municipal jurisdictions. Directors participate in decisions concerning district governance and water-service priorities.

The report records 1,323 voters casting ballots among 4,163 registered voters in the voting division, a snapshot participation rate of 31.78%. Some voters did not select a candidate in this particular contest; the number of ballots cast is not the same as candidate votes.

Next official count

Sacramento County schedules its first post-election interim update for Friday, November 6, by 4:15 p.m. PT. Until the official canvass is completed, all totals remain unofficial.

Primary source: Sacramento County Registrar of Voters — 2026 General Election, report page 19, 1:25 a.m. November 4.

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