REDWOOD CITY, CA -- The San Mateo County Elections Office is co-sponsoring the first ever countywide live election night broadcast on local cable station, Peninsula TV-26 (RCN 27), starting at 8pm on Peninsula TV. "For the first time, people who live in this County will have the chance to tune in to a local television show to hear local analysts talk about national results from the context of the Peninsula. Locally elected leaders and analysts will review the results that range from the presidential contest to the local city council races and ballot measures that have immediate consequence in people’s lives," said Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer. The show will feature live election results and interviews and commentary about local, state and national races. "Living as we do between two giant media markets, local races do not command the same media attention—this show will be unique in that way and focus on election results at all levels—national, state, regional and local."

Slocum will open the show on Election Night and talk with co-anchors, Mark Simon and Bob Marks, about Election Day in San Mateo County, what’s happening across the country as the "machinery of elections" is under the microscope in swing states, and how this election compares with previous presidential elections. After his appearance, Slocum will head to Election Central at 555 County Center in Redwood City to join the informal election night affair that is open to the public.

"In order to help people understand what we do to prepare for an election, we worked with Peninsula TV to produce five short video segments that will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of preparing for and conducting this Presidential General Election," said Slocum. The segments will air throughout the evening and will show the state’s first ever Poll Workers Academy, the absentee voter process for filling over 135,000 requests, the field operations necessary to open 486 polling sites, the logic and accuracy testing of the election counting equipment, and the mock election (or dress rehearsal of Election Day).

In addition to updated results, the show will include over 40 guests - most appearing live, some by phone and others on a satellite feed. Guests will include Congress members Anna Eshoo and Tom Lantos, State Assemblymen Joe Simitian and Gene Mullin, Leland Yee, Deputy Assistant to the President Ruben Barrales, and the Chairs of the California Republican and Democratic Party, Duf Sundheim and Art Torres, respectively. In addition, members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Peninsula City Councils, School Board, journalists and political analysts of both parties will appear.

The show will be aired live from Foster City Council Chambers and will include a studio audience of students and community leaders. According to Peninsula TV Director and co-producer Bob Marks, "This is the most ambitious effort we have ever undertaken; the production will have 25 crew members and will blend together the Foster City Chambers and Peninsula TV Studio to provide the live four hour show to viewers throughout most of San Mateo County." Marks added, "We are thrilled to partner with Comcast and the Elections Office to present this historic live broadcast."

Said show co-producer Mark Simon, "We hope this will become a tradition for major elections on the Peninsula." Election Night coverage is also being presented by The City of Foster City, Amici’s Restaurants of San Mateo and Redwood Shores and Peninsula TV.

For more election information go to www.shapethefuture.org. For more information about this show, visit www.pentv.tv or call (650) 637-1936 for the Election Night 2004 Guest Appearance List.