Election Administration Plan, Letter from Chief Elections Officer, March 16, 2018

Letter from Chief Elections Officer

March 16, 2018

Dear Fellow Voters:

I am pleased to submit to you San Mateo County’s Election Administration Plan (EAP) for the implementation of the California Voter’s Choice Act (Senate Bill 450). This landmark legislation authorizes 14 counties, including San Mateo, to conduct any election as an All Mailed Ballot/Vote Center Election, commencing January 2018. San Mateo County is proud to be one of the first five counties in the state that will be conducting the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election under the provisions of the California Voter’s Choice Act.

San Mateo County’s EAP is the culmination of an extensive community review and input process spanning over the course of several months. The plan was developed with the goal of providing the public detailed information on the administration of elections under the California Voter’s Choice Act. It also incorporates the County’s Voter Education and Outreach Plan, outlining in detail the County’s voter education and outreach plans to increase accessibility to all voters, particularly voters with disabilities and language minorities.

The EAP was developed in consultation with members of the general public and the County’s Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) and Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC). Additionally, the document incorporates comments received during the course of three public hearings specified by the Act. All of the comments received during the public review process and those comments that were incorporated into the EAP, may be found in the section of the Plan entitled “Public Comments to Draft EAP and Responses.”

The EAP has been formally submitted to the Secretary of State for final approval. The Secretary of State review and approval process will be completed by April 2, 2018. Once approved by the Secretary of State, San Mateo County’s EAP becomes the official plan for the administration of elections under the California Voter’s Choice Act.

I want to personally thank the voters of our county and all of our stakeholders that have participated in the development of the Voter’s Choice Act Election Administration Plan for their dedication and commitment to expanding voting opportunities for all.

Please contact Registration and Elections Division at 650.312.5222 or registrar@smcacre.org should you have any questions regarding the Voter’s Choice Act or our EAP.

Sincerely,

Mark Church