Stephen Cochrane leads incumbent Katherine Fitzpatrick by just 64 votes in the closest Del Mar Union School District board contest, according to preliminary results from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.

The registrar's election-night count, posted at 2:51 a.m. on Nov. 4, showed Cochrane with 4,729 votes (20.81%) to Fitzpatrick's 4,665 (20.53%) in the race for the district's third open seat. Ballots remain to be counted.

Two other Del Mar Union incumbents hold comfortable leads. Board President Alan Kholos topped the field with 7,308 votes (32.16%), and Douglas Rafner followed with 6,019 (26.49%). Voters chose three candidates in the at-large race.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Cochrane, an education law attorney and former board member, led Fitzpatrick by 73 votes. The registrar's posted totals show a 64-vote gap. Both figures are preliminary, and the county has 30 days to certify the election.

Rancho Santa Fe incumbents hold leads

Incumbents also lead in the Rancho Santa Fe School District, where two seats were on the ballot among four candidates.

Board President Jee Manghani had the largest share with 1,227 votes (35.72%). Incumbent Paul Seitz, a local business owner and veteran, followed with 987 votes (28.73%). Newcomer Bow Ruggeri, a tech executive, trailed with 789 votes (22.97%), and Jared Khan received 432 (12.58%).

Three new trustees lead in San Dieguito

No incumbents sought re-election in three San Dieguito Union High School District races, meaning three new trustees will join the board, according to the Union-Tribune's Karen Billing.

The race closest to Del Mar and Solana Beach families is Area 3, which covers Cardiff, Solana Beach and Del Mar. Education foundation director Helen Doyle led with 6,711 votes (61.96%) over Summer Boger, a wellness practitioner and part-time special education instructional assistant, who received 4,121 (38.04%).

In Area 1, representing Encinitas, human resources executive Amy Flicker held 5,687 votes (61.39%) over David Miyashiro, superintendent of the Cajon Valley Union School District, who had 3,577 (38.61%).

In Area 5, covering Carmel Valley and Pacific Highlands Ranch, high school teacher Justin Moodie led with 4,238 votes (57.12%) over Ginny Merrifield, a surveillance-video business owner, at 3,182 (42.88%).

Solana Beach races uncontested

All four Solana Beach School District board seats were uncontested, NC Pipeline reported. Debra H. Schade (Area 1), Katie Suel (Area 3), Gaylin Allbaugh (Area 4) and Jomi L. Richard (Area 5, short term) ran unopposed.

The registrar reported 766,723 ballots counted countywide, reflecting 37.7% turnout. The next ballot update is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5.