Mr. Stogner,
To trigger a recount, a written request must be filed with the Elections Division within the five calendar days following the completion of the canvass. The request must specify on behalf of which position on a measure (affirmative or negative) it is filed. The request may, but need not, specify the order in which the precincts shall be recounted.
The recount would be public, conducted by a recount board consisting of four county voters appointed by the Chief Elections Officer. All ballots and any other relevant materials may be examined upon request, and the requestor may challenge any ballot for defects (ambiguity, incompleteness, etc.), with a final determination to be made by the Chief Elections Officer.
The requestor must, before the recount starts and then before each day it continues, deposit with the Elections Division a sum determined by the Chief Elections Officer as necessary to cover the daily expenses of the recount. If upon completion of the recount the requestor’s position on the measure wins out contra the official canvass, the requestor receives a complete refund; otherwise they only receive back whatever was not consumed by actual expenses.
I estimate that daily cost would be approximately $1,160 for one manual recount board. Additional boards can be requested. A computer recount cost is $300 per hour. Depending on the scope of the recount and other requests, there may be additional costs above and beyond the personnel costs listed above. Any additional costs will be mutually agreed to by the requesting party and the county before the recount is commenced.
The requestor can bring the recount to an end at any time. The results of a recount are declared null and void unless every vote in which the contest appeared is recounted.
I hope this information helps. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
MARK CHURCH
Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
& Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
650.363.4988
650.363.1903 fax
Everyone should support the recount no matter which way you voted, The Yes on W should support it after spending $1.5M and the No on W who raised $5,700. Level Playing Field
By Michael G. Stogner
San Mateo County News 