Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections

December 8, 2005

Contact:
Warren Slocum
Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Phone: (650) 363-4988 Fax: (650) 363-1903 E-mail: wslocum@smcare.org

Alternate: David Tom - Phone 650.312.5222 E-mail dtom@smcare.org
Web: www.shapethefuture.org www.smcare.org

Recount to Begin

(Redwood City, CA) – A recount of the Half Moon Bay Council race is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., Monday, December 12th at the Elections Office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo. A meeting with Half Moon Bay Council candidate Mike Ferreira and the San Mateo County Elections Office was held on Wednesday to set the ground rules for the recount.

Recount law was designed to give all candidates an opportunity to review, challenge and reach or alter the conclusion that the Elections Office reached when they counted and certified the Election results. “Mr. Ferreira is exercising his right to a recount and review of the votes cast in this very close Election. In doing so, he has given the public a chance to learn or be reminded of this legal avenue that’s available to challenge the outcome of close Elections,” said Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum. “We welcome his request.”

According to California Elections Code, the registrar has seven days to prepare for any recount that is requested following an Election. “The first step in preparing for a recount is to invite the person initiating the recount and their confidants to meet to establish the ground rules for the recount,” explained Slocum. “Next, official notices are required to be posted and sent to all the candidates in that particular race. Once those steps have been taken, the recount may proceed.”

“The recount is a public process designed to permit observers. By allowing observers from every candidate in the race, the press, and the candidate’s supporters, we achieve a transparency in the process that helps to build public trust and confidence,” said Slocum. “The ground rules establish an orderly format for the staff, the observers and the recount requester, keep the process fair and manage the expectations for all involved.”

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