SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — November 4, 2026. Karen Cogswell holds the leading position in Cabrillo College’s governing-board election for Trustee Area 6, according to the November 4 unofficial Santa Cruz County returns.

Numbers from the November 4 county update

The county reports 6,351 votes (58.95%) for Karen Cogswell, 2,310 (21.44%) for Benjamin A. Finke, and 2,040 (18.94%) for Milissa Ales-Barnicoat, as well as 72 write-ins.

What the local vote is about

The contest fills one college governing-board seat. Its electorate is the particular trustee area, not all voters in Santa Cruz County. Because additional ballots may be counted, the posted lead does not amount to a certified election result. The board governs college-district matters; this vote is distinct from local city council and school-district trustee races.

Why these results are preliminary

The reporting snapshot is dated November 4, 2026, at 1:53 a.m. Pacific. Election-night tallies do not account for all ballots accepted during canvassing. Further updates may change the totals. Voters should consult the Registrar of Voters for official certification.

Sources: Santa Cruz County Elections, Cabrillo Community College Trustee Area 6 returns. For California’s broader election coverage, see California58 Election Results 2026.

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