How Central Coast election offices are battling misinformation and preparing to keep the election safe and secure
SALINAS, Calif (KION-TV) - As the November 2024 election approaches, election offices across the Central Coast are preparing for ballots to start pouring in.
From testing voting equipment, to getting ballots and voter information guides out, dozens of election workers are already hard at work at Monterey County’s election office.
"Election officials definitely are seeing challenges, and their unique challenges, however, their challenges that that we're all facing as election officials," Monterey County Registrar of Voters Gina Martinez said.
A recent CBS News investigation found many California counties dealing with election official turnover, amid threats and misinformation. That report found in 25 of California’s 58 counties, the person in charge will be running the presidential election there for the first time this year.
That includes San Benito County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Francisco Diaz. He was recently elected in 2022, but has been with the elections office for 10 years.
“It is unfortunate I have heard that individuals have been targeted when it comes to misinformation or perhaps threats. We're fortunate that in San Benito County, we haven't experienced so much about this," Diaz said.
Diaz says much of the misinformation they have been combating relates to when ballots go out and where drop boxes are.
Over in Santa Cruz County, County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Tricia Webber tells me safety is top of mind when people cast their ballots.
“We work internally in order to put in safety protocols. We also work with our local law enforcement, both on the county and the city level," Webber said. "We are getting a lot of questions about how we're going to ensure that Santa Cruz County conducts a fair, transparent and safe election.”
She said the office emphasizes transparency and that they are open for people to come and observe the process. That’s something the San Benito and Monterey County election office is also highlighting.
“They can see all of the audits and the safeguards included in each of the steps of processing a ballot. And by far the number one comment is, I had no idea so much went into this process." Martinez said.
At the same time, de-escalation and conflict resolution remains a key part for workers at polling centers across the central coast.
“Things like active listening, relaying the information, or providing constructive feedback, or just overall trying to mitigate the situation," Diaz said.
Ultimately, all three counties want people to feel safe with they cast their votes whether through by-mail or in-person.
All of three county election officials KION spoke with also encourage you to reach out to their offices if you have any questions regarding voting. You can find contact info for local election offices below:
- County of Monterey Elections Department
- Santa Cruz County Elections Department
- San Benito County Elections Department
You can also find additional info on your local races on the KION News 2024 Voter Guide.
