In Early Results, a Big No for Prop D.

The first results are devastating for supporters of Proposition D, the city of San Diego’s sales tax/financial reform ballot measure.

Prop. D trails 62 percent to 38 percent with 21 percent of votes counted.

The results are nowhere near the goal sales tax proponents had set for themselves. Before numbers were released, Tom Shepard, Yes on D’s campaign strategist, said the effort would have a “very good chance” if it garnered 50 percent or more in early results.

Shepard said before the results that his campaign’s television advertisements didn’t reach the majority of city voters until after the county registrar had mailed out the first ballots.

City Councilman Carl DeMaio, one of Prop. D’s main opponents, called the early results “a mandate for reform and change in city government” in a press release issued just after the results were posted.

DeMaio said he would release his own comprehensive financial plan Friday.

With these results in, the city will have to close a $70 million-plus deficit without an influx of major new revenues. Mayor Jerry Sanders and other Prop. D supporters have warned that without a tax increase the city could face draconian cuts, such as laying off police officers and firefighters.

We’ll have much more on Prop. D as the results become clearer later tonight, but for updated vote totals check out the county’s website.

Please contact Liam Dillon directly at liam.dillon@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5663 and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/dillonliam.