One message came through loud and clear in the Lamorinda elections this year – every vote matters. As few as 14 votes currently separate some of the candidates. There were a couple of surprises, too, as voters in Moraga and Orinda expressed their lack of interest in maintaining the status quo.
According to Orinda city clerk Michele Olsen, Contra Costa County still has 95,000 ballots left to count – a breakdown by city was not available. It is expected that the figures will be updated by Nov. 7. 
So, with the understanding that this picture may change, here’s where we stand now:
In Moraga, where unseating an incumbent is no small feat, planning commissioner Teresa Onoda looks to have ousted two-term council member and current mayor Ken Chew.  Onoda’s campaign focused primarily on the major development projects slated for the town.
Political newcomer Eve Phillips garnered the most votes in Orinda. Longtime council member Amy Worth won re-election; and although it appears that incumbent Dean Orr was also able to retain his seat, challenger Bob Thompson trails by only 29 votes.
The closest race was for the Orinda Union School District board. Incumbent Julie Rossiter will return to the board, where she will be joined by Jason Kaune and probably Carol Brown; but Hillary Weiner is just 14 votes behind Brown in the preliminary returns.

Moraga Town Council (two seats):

Dave Trotter 2,256 37.73 percent
Teresa Onoda 2,105 35.21 percent
Ken Chew 1,568 26.23 percent

Orinda City Council (three seats):

Eve Phillips 2,318 21.19 percent
Amy Worth 2,144 19.60 percent
Dean Orr 1,856 16.97 percent
Bob Thompson 1,827 16.70 percent
Linda Delehunt 1,588 14.52 percent
Carlos Baltodano 1,175 10.74 percent

Orinda Union School District (three seats):
Julie Rossiter 2,561 26.68 percent
Jason Kaune 2,442 25.44 percent
Carol A. Brown 2,286 23.81 percent
Hillary Weiner 2,272 23.67 percent

Acalanes Union High School District (three seats):
Susie Epstein 12,789 28.52 percent
Nancy Kendzierski 11,613 25.90 percent
Robert Hockett 10,449 23.3 percent
Kristen Correll 9,724 21.69 percent

Preliminary Lamorinda Election Results
Moraga-Orinda Fire District Board, Division 1 (one seat)

Kathleen Conroy Famulener 700 54.14 percent
Nathan Bell 592 45.78 percent

(Source: Contra Costa County Elections Division)
-L. Borrowman