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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
Despite claims of fraud nationally, an exhaustive investigation of the
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 16 findings
F1
Page 25
Elections in Santa Cruz County are run fairly and conscientiously, with numerous procedures and safeguards that minimize the likelihood of fraud or systemic errors. Although minor problems occurred, we consider these inevitable given the number of people and the complexity of the process, and they were detected or reported and remedied expeditiously.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Page 25
Most equipment used to conduct the election is old, much of it nearing or past its useful life. This includes voting machines and electronic and mechanical vote counting systems. Spare parts are increasingly hard to find.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 26
The Elections Department should continue to be proactive in evaluating voting systems that are safe, efficient, and available. (F2–F5, F7)
R3
Page 26
The Board of Supervisors should begin the process of identifying and budgeting the requisite funds for replacement of election equipment once it is certified. (F2–F5)
F3
Page 25
Santa Cruz County uses a state certified system that meets state standards. Beyond keeping some key systems offline, this equipment does not implement adequate computer security measures.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 26
The Elections Department should continue to be proactive in evaluating voting systems that are safe, efficient, and available. (F2–F5, F7)
R3
Page 26
The Board of Supervisors should begin the process of identifying and budgeting the requisite funds for replacement of election equipment once it is certified. (F2–F5)
F4
Page 25
Santa Cruz County limits physical access to the ballots and the machinery used to process the ballots and conducts comprehensive audits both before and after every election.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
Page 26
The Elections Department should continue to be proactive in evaluating voting systems that are safe, efficient, and available. (F2–F5, F7)
R3
Page 26
The Board of Supervisors should begin the process of identifying and budgeting the requisite funds for replacement of election equipment once it is certified. (F2–F5)
R16
Page 104
Metro should provide WiFi connection on more buses. (F4)
F5
Page 25
Voting equipment that the county would select to replace its aging infrastructure has not yet been certified. When the certified replacement equipment becomes available, it is not clear when funds might be provided.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 26
The Elections Department should continue to be proactive in evaluating voting systems that are safe, efficient, and available. (F2–F5, F7)
R3
Page 26
The Board of Supervisors should begin the process of identifying and budgeting the requisite funds for replacement of election equipment once it is certified. (F2–F5)
F6
Page 25
Re-use of USB drives on the offline vote collection systems, after being attached to an internet-connected system, is a possible avenue to compromise the offline systems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 26
In order to protect the integrity of the count, once USB drives or other equipment have been connected to the county network, they should never be reattached to the offline vote counting systems. (F6)
F7
Page 25
While currently not being considered in Santa Cruz County, the future possibility of internet voting is a concern due to the inability to ensure the security and anonymity of the vote. Published May 17, 2017 24 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 26
The Elections Department should continue to be proactive in evaluating voting systems that are safe, efficient, and available. (F2–F5, F7)
R15
Page 104
Metro should conduct a limited trial using AVL and HASTUS to explore bus route efficiency. (F7)
F8
Page 36
In 2015, 2016, and the first two months of 2017, the SUESD Board minutes did not record that the Board has conducted a self-evaluation.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
Page 36
The SUESD Board should comply with its Bylaw 9400 by addressing in public session its self-evaluation, including whether or not the District’s goals for the previous year have been achieved. (F8)
R9
Page 67
The COC should regularly make on-site inspections of Measure L projects. (F8)
F9
Page 36
The SUESD Board has not reviewed or revised the responsibilities and duties of the superintendent at any time between September 2001 and 2016.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 36
The SUESD Board should conduct an official review and update of the criteria for evaluating their only employee, the superintendent. (F9) Published May 30, 2017 2016–2017 Consolidated Final Report 35
F10
Page 36
The SUESD Board has been using an incorrect template for its agenda for at least the past six years.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Page 37
The SUESD Board should comply with CGC §54954.3 by correcting its agenda template to reflect accurate times, locations, and content for meetings. (F10)
F11
Page 36
The agenda template announces conflicting times for the convening of public meetings.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Page 37
The Board’s agenda should reflect that Board meetings begin with the Call to Order. (F11)
F12
Page 36
The agenda template does not advise the public of its opportunity to pull items from the consent agenda for comment prior to the adoption of the agenda.
Related Recommendations (4)
R8
Page 37
The Board should advise the public of its right to pull a Consent Agenda item for comment prior to adopting the agenda. (F12)
R10
Page 67
The District should ensure its accounting software supports and enhances its efforts in meeting the financial reporting requirements of the California Education Code, the COC’s bylaws, and CaLBOC’s best practices. (F12)
R11
Page 104
Metro should improve maintenance at transit facilities. (F12, F15, F16)
R14
Page 104
Metro should use easily cleanable materials for bus seats. (F12)
F13
Page 103
The lack of overnight parking at bus facilities may be a deterrent to potential riders.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
Page 104
Metro should establish overnight parking at the Scotts Valley Cavallaro Transit Center for riders. (F13)
F14
Page 103
Metro’s CNG bus engines break down sooner than expected, resulting in accelerated expenses.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
Page 104
Metro should evaluate cost-effective alternatives to the CNG bus powertrain. (F14)
F15
Page 103
Metro transit centers are deteriorating and in disrepair, which may negatively impact ridership.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Page 104
Metro should improve maintenance at transit facilities. (F12, F15, F16)
F16
Page 103
Metro transit centers are not clean, which may negatively impact ridership.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Page 104
Metro should improve maintenance at transit facilities. (F12, F15, F16)
Conclusions 1
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CL1Most of us who have exercised our right to vote have probably never considered the breadth and depth of preparation and effort required to run an election. As we followed along in the process, we were consistently impressed by the layers of protection and redundancy built into the system, and the lengths to which the Elections Department goes to ensure the integrity of the vote. The Department’s commitment, dedication and attention to detail shine through at every step. While the broader claims of election fraud show no signs of abating in the near future, all residents of Santa Cruz County should have faith in the integrity of our elections and the reliability and commitment of our Elections Department.
Commendations 5
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CM1C1. The Grand Jury recognizes the diligence, dedication, and hard work of the Elections Department. We had their full cooperation, and observed first-hand the immense number of hours and the effort they put into running an election, while maintaining an impressive level of professionalism. C2. The Elections Department’s website, votescount.com, is a valuable and comprehensive resource.
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CM2C1. We commend the Board for including in their Governance Handbook a public request form to add agenda items. (F7)
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CM3C1. The Grand Jury commends the SSP staff for their commitment and resolve to this program under the most challenging of circumstances.
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CM4C1. The Sheriff’s Office application for Prop 47 funding for the Health and Justice Diversion Center shows progressive and compassionate thinking. C2. Rountree delivers an impressive offering of programs for eligible inmates; we commend them for opening it to female inmates. C3. We commend the Main Jail staff for intervening and preventing 13 suicides since July 2016. Published June 27, 2017 Page 14 of 18 2016–2017 Consolidated Final Report 91
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CM5C1. Although Metro faces difficult decisions and financial hardship, we found the employees hardworking and dedicated. Without exception they were extremely helpful and treated their customers with kindness and respect. We commend the employees for their outstanding service to the community.
Comments 1
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CO1Published May 30, 2017 Page 5 of 15 34 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Santa Cruz County
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