DRAIN (AP) - Two longtime athletic rivals are closer to becoming teammates after residents of North Douglas School District approved a merger with the neighboring Yoncalla School District in a special election.

Tuesday's 470-191 vote places the consolidation in the hands of Yoncalla district voters, who will consider the merger in the May 18 primary election.

If they also vote in favor, the two districts and their two high schools, which are five miles apart, will merge into one beginning with the 2005-06 school year.