(1115) Elections Division
Division Overview
The Election Department is responsible for conducting fair, impartial, accurate, secure, and transparent federal, state, and local elections. The Election Department manages all voting equipment, training, election ballot processing, and vote tallying. The Election Department also performs all voter registration functions and provides voting-related services to voters, elected officials, campaigns, and other voting interest groups.
Staff
Recommended Budget
Recent Departmental Accomplishments
• Recipient of the 2024 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) $100,000 Grant for election physical security.
• Recipient of the 2023 Central Coast Creative Corps $140,000 Grant to partner with an artist for creative outreach engagement.
• Recipient of the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for Youth Engagement in Elections and Ballot Drop Box Ride Along Program.
• Recipient of the 2023 US Election Assistance Commission National Clearinghouse Award “Honorable Mention” for Ballot Drop Box Ride Along Program.
Top Departmental Concerns
• Following the Hall of Records fire, the elections was moved to a facility with ample square footage to support administrative operations, prioritizing security and meeting accessibility standards. It is advised to consider that it would be preferable for the elections not to return to the Hall of Records, as the building does not meet the requirements for future planning.
Long Range Planning Goals (3-5 years) For Department
• Updating election job descriptions to match current operational needs is crucial. The shortcomings in job descriptions hinder the election office from hiring qualified individuals, contributing to the 20% turnover rate.• To address the heightened technology security infrastructure requirements, the elections needs to recruit a dedicated network specialist to establish and maintain its network performance.