Why did SLO County voter request a recount for District 4 election? Here’s what we know
Paso Robles resident Darcia Stebbens stopped by the San Luis Obispo County Government Center this week to watch as staffers recounted the ballots cast in the Board of Supervisors’ District 4 race.
The county Clerk-Recorder’s office launched the manual recount on Tuesday at Stebbens’ request — and observers have been keeping a close eye on the process.
Stebbens told The Tribune she asked for the recount to motivate the county to improve its election process.
She said she feels the county needs to make changes like hand-counting ballots at precincts ahead of machine counting at the Elections Office, to help ensure “one voter, one vote, one time.”
“We’re just concerned citizens trying to improve the system,” she said Wednesday.
Stebbens lives in Paso Robles, but requested a recount for District 4 because it was the closest race in terms of votes, she said.
According to the certified election tally, Arroyo Grande City Councilmember Jimmy Paulding defeated incumbent Lynn Compton for the District 4 seat by 639 votes.
Stebbens noted that supervisors work for all voters, not just the residents of their district.
“I’m concerned about the entire county,” Stebbens said. “Our supervisors are supervisors for the entire county.”
Supervisor voices concerns about accuracy of ballot counts
San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Debbie Arnold said she supports the recount at a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.
At the meeting, Arnold, who represents District 5, cast the lone vote against declaring the county’s election results. She said she was concerned about the “accuracy of the ballot counting.”
“Some of my concerns stem from the recent changes to the election process, including the all-mail ballots, the use of drop boxes, and the use of the machine tabulations,” Arnold said during the meeting. “I think that they’ve created so many vulnerabilities that the public is losing confidence in the election process.”
San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano said she is confident the election results and the original ballot count are accurate, but there could be “a small number of discrepancies” in how the recount staff adjudicate ballots compared to the original staff.
“They may see a mark that they feel may not be a vote but what the adjudication board counted as a vote,” Cano said.
Cano encouraged people to reach out to the Elections Office with questions about the ballot count for the most accurate information.
“The election process is very complex and the systems that we use are even more so. If there are questions or concerns, then please contact me or my staff to be sure that you receive accurate information,” Cano said. “I believe that the majority of SLO County voters trust the process and trust the system. It is a small minority that feels otherwise.”
How much will recount cost and how is it being paid for?
The recount will cost about $103,186, Cano said, and Stebbens must cover the cost because she requested the count.
The first four days of the recount cost Stebbens $20,102, Cano said.
Stebbens deposited $12,282 with the county on Tuesday, covering the cost of preparation and the first day of counting. She then paid $2,592 on Wednesday, $2,592 on Thursday and owed $2,636 for Friday.
The amount fluctuates based on staffing and material needs, Cano said.
At the end of the recount, Stebbens will forfeit the funds if the certified ballot count is accurate.
If the recount reveals that there were enough miscounted votes to overturn the election, the county will return a portion of the funds to Stebbens.
The county will also return any money not used for the recount to Stebbens, according to a news release from the county Clerk-Recorder’s Office
Stebbens declined to comment on how she was paying for the recount, but the Republican Party of San Luis Obispo County posted a flier asking for donations for the recount on Facebook.
