Voting: Transparent, Secure, Fair …and Interesting

NEVADA COUNTY — By state-wide standards, Nevada County is relatively small, boasting under 80,000 registered voters. Nevertheless, the Elections Department staff goes all out to make the process reliable, convenient and secure. As Myra Davies-Easley, part of the county election staff since 2008, puts it, “Our office works toward everybody getting to vote; we have safeguards, and we follow them. We want voters to feel confident we are following the rules.”

Much of the routine is reminiscent of the world of banking – repetitive work that involves rigorous attention to detail, security and confidentiality. However, a recent visit to the Election Department at Rood Center included a couple impressive surprises.

Of course, it’s not unexpected that the parking spaces closest to the front door are clearly marked for folks with handicap status. Nor is the helpful elevator to the second floor unusual. Still, there are citizens for whom the trek from the parking lot to the elections office (at the far end of the long upstairs hall) is a problem. So (as at all Nevada County voting locations), there is a convenient push-button next to one of the handicapped parking slots. From the driver’s seat, it is possible to let staff know extra help is needed. Election workers routinely interrupt their office work, grab basic supplies, and hustle down to the parking lot to be of assistance.

Second surprise: Senior voters in congregate living facilities are sometimes unclear about how to return their completed ballots. They may be uneasy about relying on the postal service for this. A secure mobile “official roving ballot box” is now available! Many Nevada County senior living facilities have made appointments this year for a visit from two official election staff employees rolling a brightly-colored, padlocked box for early voting convenience. The workers are prepared to answer any questions residents have about the process. The locked ballot box has a suitable opening for securely inserting completed ballots; workers then treat the box and its contents with the same precise safety routines that protect ballots deposited elsewhere.

New this year, anyone with questions about how candidates or propositions are doing in early balloting is encouraged to check out the on-line ballot statistics dashboard, offering real-time insights into voter participation (https://nevadacountyca.gov/3990/November-5-2024-Ballot-Statistics). It’s part of the Elections Department’s efforts to offer timely information in a user-friendly format.

In addition, observers are warmly encouraged at the department office, where it is possible to stand at the edge of the processing room, near the flow of work,to watch the steps involved. An even better view of the complex operation can be had from a large picture window between the work room and the adjoining hall.

The requirements for safely, accurately, and confidentially handling ballots and tabulating votes are enormously detailed. Every staff member is deeply committed to following the intricate rules to the letter.

Despite hectic workdays (that can run 14-plus hours as vote-counting peaks), staff are consistently gracious to visitors, available to answer basic questions about registration or to explain in detail the intricacies of ballot security. They encourage phone calls at (530) 265-1298. As Ms. Davies-Easley says, “It’s exciting; I love to be part of it.”