Board of Supervisors County of Mono*

R1

- Staff within the office of the Registrar of Voters should receive continuing training and education in the efficient use of new state voting software. Ongoing staff development should be conducted regarding election protocol and procedures. Mono County's internal election procedure manuals should be updated and distributed to relevant staff as needed. The office should hire additional skilled personnel to help them conduct each election. Additional staff levels during election periods should be determined by the nature and demands of each particular election. Action: Clerk/Recorder/Registrar of Voters Timeframe: 6 months Board Response: The Registrar intends to reach out to the Secretary of State to obtain additional VoteCal training. Election protocols and procedures are in the process of being updated and will be complete prior to next election. New poll worker machine instructions are being written for the new machines just purchased. The County intends to double the number of temporary election workers, for a total of two, instead of only one in November 2016. All of the above items will be completed prior to next election.

R2

- Mono County should appoint an administrator to be Clerk/Recorder/ Registrar of Voters who has experience in conducting elections, and who also has a skill set with high levels of organization, delegation, and careful attention to details. This individual should also strive to maintain long-term stability and morale within the department and to employ and train such skilled staff as are necessary to conduct the many diverse duties and functions of the Clerk/Recorder/Registrar of Voters offices. The initial action of appointing a new Clerk/Recorder/Registrar of Voters was taken by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Mono County in early 2017. The Mono County CAO should monitor the offices of the Clerk/Recorder/Registrar of Voters to verify that a reorganization and updating of files, and policy/procedure manuals has been undertaken, and that newly hired personal receive the training they need to be effective in their multi-departmental setting. Timeframe: 9 months Board Response: As stated in the Report, Shannon Kendall was appointed to Clerk- Recorder-Registrar-Clerk of the Board temporarily in December 2016 and permanently in February 2017. Shannon has the required skill set and experience to perform the job efficiently. There have been additional staff members added to the Department, bringing 2 | -2017 Mono County Grand Jury Report responses – Attachment A the office to full staffing levels. New staff is currently training on elections duties and all staff will acquire additional training in VoteCal, EMS (election management system), and on new voting machines during 2017. Reorganization of files, manuals, etc., is occurring at this time and is ongoing.

R3

- The Mono County Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters should carefully research new state legislation and voting initiatives to determine whether Mono County might take advantage of more flexible regulations regarding the number of voters in an area who may cast their ballots via absentee ballot and/or create several general election centers which are open for extended days to maximize voting opportunities and reduce costs. Action: Mono County Board of Supervisors, Mono County Chief Administrative Officer, Registrar of Voters Timeframe: 6 months Board Response: The Registrar's office is monitoring SB 450 as well as Inyo County's pilot program. Under Mono County's current legislative platform, we continue to lobby for vote by mail elections. The consideration of legislation and initiatives that may present solutions for Mono County is current, and ongoing.

R4

- After carefully researching and reviewing new voting legislation and initiatives, the Board of Supervisors of Mono County should budget sufficient funds to purchase new voting machines - consistent with projected future needs and election methods. Action: Mono County Board of Supervisors, Mono County Chief Administrative Officer Timeframe: 6 months Board Response: This has been completed. New voting machines have been purchased, consistent with current election methods and projected needs, and are SB 450 compliant should the County pursue that direction in the future.

R5

- The Mono County Registrar of Voters needs to clearly communicate to Mono County voters information regarding State of California Voter registration requirements, online voter signature requirements, and prospective elected-official voter petition rules. All sample and absentee ballots, along with measure/initiative arguments, need to be accurate and accompanied by clear instructions. These documents should never be proofread by only one person. Mono County's online Elections Office website needs to be updated and have accurate information. Instructions on absentee and sample ballots should match the information provided on the Mono County Elections Office website and should be in accordance with state law. There should be clear and ongoing communication between satellite offices, such as the Town of Mammoth 3 | -2017 Mono County Grand Jury Report responses - Attachment A Lakes Town Clerk, and the Registrar of Voters office regarding timelines for the submission of candidate petitions, the certification of voter signatures, and the precise number of candidates who can be voted for on a given election. Action: Registrar of Voters Timeframe: 6 months Board Response: The Registrar is developing plans for extensive voter outreach and education in future election cycles, including additional advertising/radio spots, additional poll worker training, presentations to RPACS and other community groups, an updated and more informative website with FAQs. There have also been plans developed to ensure accuracy of election details, including consistency between voter information in guides, sample ballots, etc. The timelines for the filing of candidate, petition and/or other paperwork will be coordinated very closely with Town Clerk. These plans and approaches are currently being developed, and will be in place prior to the June 2018 primary. --- a see to . . 4 | Page