Angie Homola is ahead of incumbent Mac McDowell by 59 votes with only about 100 left to count, according to the latest tally released Wednesday afternoon by the Island County Auditor’s Office.

The next update isn’t expected until Friday afternoon. A note on Auditor Sheilah Crider’s Web site states that the number of ballots left to be counted includes ballots that require additional information from the voter before they can be added to the total.

The total as of Wednesday gives Republican McDowell 19,144 votes, 59 short of Democrat Homola’s 19,203.

The election is so close that a mandatory recount by hand will take place after the results are certified Nov. 25 by the county canvassing board. McDowell recently said that he doubts such a recount would change the outcome of the election.

McDowell, a property rights advocates, has served the Oak Harbor area on the board of commissioners for 16 years.

Homola, an architect, became active in county politics when she became concerned about the city of Oak Harbor’s westward march toward West Beach and its impact on the environment, particularly the Swan Lake watershed area.

If Homola maintains her lead she will take office in January.

In the other race for county commissioner, incumbent Republican Phil Bakke, who was appointed last year, last to Democrat Helen Price Johnson. The tally Wednesday stood at 20,348 for Price Johnson and 18,558 for Bakke. The position represents South and Central Whidbey Island.

Because Bakke was appointed, Price Johnson will take over as soon as the election is certified. She is scheduled to be sworn in Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. in Department 1 of the Law & Justice Center in Coupeville. Judge Alan Hancock will preside. He will also swear in Auditor Crider, who was appointed last year. She defeated a fellow Republican, Jim Palmer, by the vote count of 18,483 to 15,780.