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

All Mail Ballot for June Primary Gets A Green Light Locally

Unanimous Support by San Mateo Board of Supervisors

(Redwood City, CA) – Today, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the request made by Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum that would allow any California county, with the approval of the local board of supervisors, to hold the upcoming June 2006 Primary as an all mail election.

Slocum brought forward this request for emergency statewide legislation citing the lag in the state's certification process for new voting equipment that meets the federal Help America Vote Act that provides all voters the right to vote independently and in secret, a measure specifically written to serve voters with disabilities.

"As late as yesterday evening, we heard from certification officials that it is likely to be the middle of March before we have the results of the certification process from the Secretary of State's Office," explained Slocum. "That's late, really late."

"We, election officials in California, are as concerned about the integrity of the vote as the Secretary. That's why I've asked this Board to stand behind this recommendation for an all mail election for the June 2006 Primary. It's an insurance policy for those of us who are waiting to purchase new equipment and those who purchased decertified equipment and are scrambling for alternatives," he said.

"There is nothing more important than the integrity of the vote," Slocum said. "If we keep this fundamental and foremost in our thinking, it's no-brainer. Counties should have this option."

"An All-Mail Election is a viable option. Nearly half of the voters in California have already voluntarily opted to vote by mail by signing up to be permanent absentee voters. It's convenient. The number of people voting by mail has increased dramatically since it was first allowed in 2001."

California election officers have responded to this rising demand. They have changed their processes and procedures to accommodate the increase in absentee voting. "We have full confidence in our ability to conduct the election by all mail if the certification delays continue," Slocum said.

Alameda County has requested and received special urgency legislation from their board of supervisors. Easily 20 other counties have expressed interest.

Additionally, many counties are eyeing the cost savings associated with holding an all mail election. San Mateo County estimates that it would save $650,000 in election costs if the June Primary were held as an all mail election.