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Deason widens lead for commissioner Juvenile center loses ground in absentee count By PETER WONG Jon Deason widened his lead for Jackson County commissioner, but the multimillion-dollar bond issue for a county juvenile detention center lost a little ground in early absentee-ballot counts released Thursday. The fate of these and other close races will be settled when a count of almost 23,000 absentee ballots is completed later today. County Clerk Kathy Beckett said elections workers would continue to work Thursday night to wrap up the final count for what is likely to be the county's last polling-place election. Beckett said her target is noon today; state law requires the count to be completed by midnight. The 22,946 absentee ballots returned for Tuesday's general election constituted 72 percent of a record 31,808 issued. Two years ago, 24,257 of 27,137 absentee ballots (89 percent) were returned. The number of absentee ballots returned would boost the county's participation for Tuesday's general election to about 56 percent of the 106,385 registered voters -- a 40-year low. The previous low was 60.8 percent in 1978. With more than 3,000 absentee ballots tallied Thursday, Democratic nominee Deason of Medford boosted his margin over Republican incumbent Jack Walker of Phoenix for Jackson County commissioner Position 1. Deason led Walker by 100 in final polling-place returns, but increased it to 395 in early absentee-ballot returns. Many of Thursday's tallies were from Ashland, which leans toward Democratic candidates, so Walker still could overtake Deason when all absentee ballots are counted. More than half of all absentee ballots were issued to Republicans, and they presumably are more conservative voters. That conservative bent may defeat Measure 15-83, the $22.5 million bond issue for a 60-bed county juvenile detention center and replacement parking in downtown Medford. It led by 592 in final polling-place returns, but early absentee-ballot returns narrowed its margin to 418. In an Ashland City Council race, absentee ballots widened the lead David Fine has over Bob Taber for the open Position 6 seat. Fine led by 41 in final polling-place results, but early absentee-ballot returns increased his margin to 200. The lead for Shady Cove's five-year police levy appeared to solidify with absentee ballots. The latest count has it passing, 355-303, up from a 31-vote margin after polling-place results were tallied. Election Update Absentee ballots issued for Tuesday's general election have the potential to change the outcomes of at least seven close local races this week. Here are the races and how counts to date have affected them: Absentee ballots issued: 31,808 Absentees returned (revised): 22,946 Absentees counted to date: 3,247 County Commissioner Pos. 1 Jon Deason (D) ...............................18,199 51% (I) Jack Walker (R) .......................... 17,804 49% 15-81 (Central Point schools) Yes .....................................................2,658 52% No .....................................................2,465 48% Ashland Council, Pos. 6 David Fine ..........................................2,401 52% Bob Taber ..........................................2,201 48% 15-80 (Shady Cove police) Yes ........................................................355 54% No ........................................................303 46% 15-86 (Talent officials' pay) Yes ......................................................469 51% No .......................................................445 49% 15-89 (Phoenix city levy) Yes .......................................................350 53% No ........................................................307 47% 15-83 (Juvenile justice) Yes .......................................................17,341 51% No .......................................................16,923 49% Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA