Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2022-2023

Humboldt County Elections Integrity It’s Okay to Vote!

Published: November 08, 2022 14 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 9 findings

F1
The elections procedure was secure and had many double and triple checks to make sure the election was safe and secure.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
There is no internal manual describing the various election duties unique to Humboldt County. This could lead to specific job duties and tasks being overlooked.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Humboldt County Elections Office prepares policy and procedural manuals that can be amended and kept up-to-date annually or after each election. We recommend that this be completed before the next local, primary or general election. (F2)
R2
The Humboldt County Elections Office prepares a written matrix detailing specific duties and tasks to be performed and the persons responsible for those duties. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F2, F5) 12
F3
Some ballot drop boxes are not adequately secured in their designated locations, making their removal possible.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Humboldt County Elections Office replaces and upgrades ballot drop boxes for additional security. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F3)
F4
The Candidate Guide does not explain listing order on the ballot for local government candidates, creating unnecessary confusion.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Humboldt County Elections Office updates the Candidate Guide adding a section explaining candidate ballot listing order. This section shall be pursuant to the State of California Election Code § 13111. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F4)
F5
Some managers did not receive the Poll Managers Training Manual but were taught from the Poll Workers Training Manual. This caused some unnecessary confusion with the successful completion of their duties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Humboldt County Elections Office prepares a written matrix detailing specific duties and tasks to be performed and the persons responsible for those duties. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F2, F5) 12
F6
Some Poll Workers did not participate in mandatory training, which contributed to process errors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Humboldt County Elections Office provides all Poll Workers with mandatory training prior to working on any election. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F6)
F7
Having an outside nonprofit watchdog group is a useful check of ballot counting and tallying, providing validation to Humboldt County Elections.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
A Humboldt County Elections employee was serving on the Board of the nonprofit watchdog group validating that election. This results in the perception of a conflict of interest.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
The Humboldt County Elections Office creates either a Contract or Memorandum of Understanding between the Humboldt County Elections Office and any volunteer nonprofit watchdog group. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F8, F9)
R7
The Humboldt County Elections Office assures the public that no County Elections Office employees serve on the board of directors of any election watchdog group. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F8, F9)
F9
There is no evidence of a Contract or Memorandum of Understanding between the Elections Office and the nonprofit watchdog volunteer group, known as the Elections Transparency Project, making the responsibilities of each entity unclear.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
The Humboldt County Elections Office creates either a Contract or Memorandum of Understanding between the Humboldt County Elections Office and any volunteer nonprofit watchdog group. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F8, F9)
R7
The Humboldt County Elections Office assures the public that no County Elections Office employees serve on the board of directors of any election watchdog group. We recommend that this be accomplished before the next local, primary or general election. (F8, F9)

Observations 22

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Humboldt County County Clerk-Recorder Elected County Office