📋
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.
Trinity County Grand Jury
• 1998-1999
Trinity County General Election Held November 3, 1998
⚠️ 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 3 findings
F1
Page 65
Instructions to the observation panel, as to their respon- sibilities as observers of the election process, were inad- equate. No advance instructions or directions were pro- vided. A quick summary of duties was provided at the doorway of the room where the counting process be- gan. However, questions asked were promptly and com- pletely answered or investigated by elections workers.
F2
Page 65
The Grand Jury also noted that during the counting of ballots some members of the various observation groups did not stay until the counting process was completed.
F3
Page 65
As recommended by the 1997-98 Grand Jury, the Elec- tion Office has added additional security for the han- dling of absentee ballots. For example, two designated members of the election Office now pick up absentee ballots at the Post Office. As added security, the mail bag containing the ballots is padlocked before leaving the Post Office.
Recommendations 3
-
R1Page 65The Election Office should prepare a publication which states what is expected of election observers. This pub- lication should be made available to observers in ad- vance. This would help in reducing the number of ques- tions during the actual observation of the election pro- cess.
-
R2Page 65If observers are required to observe the process until formally released by the Election Office, this fact should be emphasized. Perhaps all observers should be required to sign an “Observers Registration” list before being re- leased.
-
R3Page 65The Election Office is commended for strengthening the security measures for collecting and handling absen- tee ballots. CONCLUSION: The Grand Jury commends the election Office for the efficient manner in which the ballot counting process was handled. Ballots from outlying precincts were de- livered to the Court House in a timely manner. The results of the election were available to interested par- ties early in the evening. DAY RESPONSE REQUESTED FROM: County Clerk (Election Office) Response of the County Clerk Trinity County Board of Supervisors May 24, 1999 Re: Response to General Election Final Report dated May 3, 1999