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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.
⚠️ 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 7 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 (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)
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 (1)
R1
Page 26
The Elections Department should continue to be proactive in evaluating voting systems that are safe, efficient, and available. (F2–F5, F7)