Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: Jim Irizarry, Assistant Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
(Redwood City, CA) San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Mark Church announced today the release of San Mateo County’s report to the State Legislature and Secretary of State on the County’s historic November 3, 2015 All-Mailed Ballot Election.
The November 3, 2015 All-Mailed Ballot Election was a “Pilot Project” authorized under AB 2028 (Mullin) allowing San Mateo County to conduct up to three All-Mailed Ballot Elections through January 1, 2018. The law requires the County to report to the State Legislature and Secretary of State on the effectiveness of the All-Mailed Ballot Election and its impact on a variety of factors such as voter turnout, election costs and demographic information.
“The November 3, 2015 election was one of the most efficient and successful elections ever held in the County” stated Church. It was a large and complex local countywide election under the Uniform District Election Law (UDEL), with 40 jurisdictions and 48 different ballot styles. “The election generated large amounts of statistical and operational data serving its intended purpose as a pilot project to provide insight and information on the effectiveness of All-Mailed Ballot Elections,” he added.
The election resulted in increased voter turnout, decreased costs to the jurisdictions, improved efficiencies and early results on Election Night. The election experienced the highest voter turnout in over 20 years, reversing a downward trend in voter participation locally and across the state. There were 14,000 more voters and a 15% increase in the number of voters participating in this election when compared to the last comparable election held in 2013. The election also resulted in significant cost savings for cities, schools and special districts when compared to the 2013 UDEL Election. Cities had an average savings of 17%, special districts 15% and school districts 39%.
“The success of the November 3, 2015 All-Mailed Ballot Election was the direct result of the hard work and support of our jurisdictions, community stakeholders and the voting public. Special acknowledgment must go to over 400 elected and appointed officials countywide who approved and championed the All-Mailed Ballot Election Pilot Project in their respective communities,” added Church.
The report to the State Legislature and Secretary of State is available for review on the Registration and Elections website www.shapethefuture.org.
The press release is displayed in its original format. San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections website now resides at www.smcacre.org