California Politics 360 asked every county registrar to complete a short survey
Even though California lawmakers and the governor provided local election officials with extra money this year to speed up ballot counting, it’s not clear if those funds will help this election.
This week, California Politics 360 asked every county registrar’s office to fill out a short survey to see if the funding they received would help.
(Video above: Placer County registrar of voters explains ballot-counting process.)
Twenty four of the state’s 58 counties filled out the survey in time for our deadline. California’s largest county, Los Angeles, did not respond. Neither did San Francisco.
During the June primary, voters waited a week to learn which two candidates would advance to the general election. The speed of the results frustrated Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers. This summer, the Legislature gave counties $34 million to speed up processing election results and boost voter outreach and education.
BALLOT COUNTING SPEED
The first question in our survey: “Does the county expect to process results faster than the primary?” Fifteen counties responded yes and nine counties said no.
Madera County election officials responded yes, but said, “Our goal is to process faster. However, the reporting of results depends on factors beyond our control including but not limited to voter behavior and turnout.”
Fresno County election officials responded no. A spokesperson said, “higher participation counts will prevent faster overall processing.”
HOW OFTEN WILL COUNTIES RELEASE RESULTS?
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We asked, “Following Election Day, how many times per week does the county plan to release election results? What days?”
Most counties that responded to the survey said they would release results two to three days a week.
Sacramento County election officials plan to release results twice a week. They have posted their schedule on its website. San Joaquin County plans to release results Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting Nov. 6.
Orange County election officials plan to release results “at least every weekday”. Sierra County election officials also plan to release results daily.
EXTRA MONEY FROM THE LEGISLATURE
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The third question in the survey was, “Has the county received funding from the Legislature to speed up processing results after the primary election?”
Every county surveyed, except Nevada County, said they have received funding from the Legislature. Nevada County election officials said, “we already used the funds we expect by expanding our ballot processing center offering early voting options and new scanners to scan ballots.”
Of the counties that responded to our survey, San Diego County received $3.49 million. Orange County received $3.24 million. Contra Costa and Sacramento counties received $1.1 million to speed up processing their election results.
According to a letter the California State Association of Counties posted on their website, the Department of Finance said Los Angeles County received $8 million to speed up processing their election results. Click here to find out how much money your county received.
HOW ARE THE COUNTIES USING THE MONEY?
Counties used the money allocated by the Legislature and governor to increase staffing, pay for overtime and buy new equipment, according to the survey.
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Napa County election officials said, “We have consolidated equipment in a central location, hired staff to process election materials more quickly.”
Madera County election officials said, “$121,117.65 to increase the number of available staff to tabulate votes, make equipment purchases or technology upgrades to expedite the vote counting process; $20,882.35 to conduct voter education and outreach.”
Butte County election officials said, “No amount of money will make elections “faster.” The law needs to change. We attempted to use these funds to purchase a mobile voter assistance center to encourage early participation. However, the funding was too late and the equipment did not arrive in time. It will be utilized in future election cycles.”
MESSAGE TO CALIFORNIANS
The final question in our survey asked, “What message do you have for California voters?”
The main message across the counties was to vote and vote early.
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Sacramento County election officials said, “The sooner you cast your vote, the sooner it can be tabulated thus resulting in faster results.”
Merced County election officials said, “We process ballots according to the law. Other states process at different speeds because they have different laws. If you want different processes, then that is a matter for the State Legislature to take up. Elections Officials do not make laws – we follow them.”
Fresno County election officials said, “The best way to speed up results reporting is to not wait until the last minute to return your ballot. Almost all delays in reporting are due to last minute returns overwhelming processing capacity and thus extending the time to get final results.”
Monterey County election officials said, “We remain committed to ensuring that every eligible ballot is counted efficiently and accurately. Additional state resources may be helpful in facilitating a more efficient canvass process.”
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
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