Title
Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.17 seeking the Elections staff bring forward recommendations to possibly create a fee schedule for candidates to request and plan for recounts when needed.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.17 and;
1) Direct staff to proceed with completion of referral based on the description in this report; or,
2) Direct staff to:
i. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board of Supervisors; or,
ii. Return to the Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or,
iii. Rescind referral.
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Referral Summary & Background: Referral 2022.17 was submitted by Supervisor Lopez and
assigned by the CAO on 8.23.2022. The referral seeks to have the Elections Department make recommendations that would enhance transparency and facilitate the processes to request a recount.
Proposed Project Description: Currently, the Elections Department references California Elections Code and the California Code of Regulations in estimating costs on a case-by-case basis and provides initial cost estimates based on information provided from the requester or the requester's appointed representative. California Regulations provide that "all actual costs of the recount that would not have been incurred but for the requestor's particular recount request (which) shall be directly recoverable from the requestor and may include, but are not limited to, additional supervision hours, security guard hours, the elections official's staff hours, space rental, transportation of ballots and materials and administrative costs." (CCR Title 2, Div.7, Chpt. 8, Art 1, 20815).
Some counties have recount guidelines and provide an example of a cost breakdown as opposed to a fee schedu...
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