Acting Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan detailed plans this week to move forward with counting the maximum number of cross-over votes possible from the February 5th Presidential Primary Election. In a letter to the Secretary of State and in a report before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Logan outlined the criteria that will be used to determine voter intent and to include votes not previously counted in the certified results of the election.
"This is about restoring public confidence and ensuring that Los Angeles County voters know that their votes are counted," said Logan. "It is an important message to send to the thousands of new voters who were drawn into the electoral process in this historic Presidential election year."
In the weeks since the election, Logan has worked closely with the Secretary of State, the Board of Supervisors and community stakeholders in pursuit of legal options to allow the County to discern voter intent and to count votes cast by non-partisan voters who chose to cross-over and vote in the Democratic and American Independent party Presidential contests, but who missed an instruction to first mark a party selection choice on their ballots.
In addition to presenting a resolution for including votes cast by DTS voters in the certified election results, Logan re-affirmed his commitment to providing an improved ballot layout in future primary elections. "We very clearly understand the need to revise the ballot layout and to offer voters the least confusing method possible for making their selections," Logan said. The new format will be introduced in the June 3rd State Primary Election.
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk staff is completing a 28-day detailed vote canvassing period this week involving a multitude of tasks to process all valid ballots and to account for thousands of election supplies and equipment before certifying the election. Additional activities necessary to add the votes cast by DTS voters will take place this weekend and early next week. The final results will be certified on March 4th.
Logan conveyed appreciation to voters and stakeholders who called upon the County to ensure the votes were counted. "I thank the voters of Los Angeles County for their patience and participation. We will continue in the weeks and months ahead to ensure a voting experience that is efficient and effective in June and November."