A city of San Diego sales tax hike could be trending toward voter approval, despite still trailing in the latest vote totals posted by election officials early Wednesday morning. Supporters believe Measure E — a one-cent sales tax increase that would generate about $400 million annually — is highly likely to surpass the simple majority it needs for approval once all the votes are counted.

Sales tax measures in San Diego and across the county were trailing on election night despite support from elected officials, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.

I believe it's very possible that lead will grow as the ballots are counted," he said, pointing to Measure B in 2022, which trailed early but eventually prevailed.State of play: The city's independent budget analyst a year ago estimated the city faced a $1 billion deficit over the next five years,

Both a countywide sales tax increase and a separate sales tax hike proposed within the city of San Diego were falling short of the support needed to pass in early election returns.