‘What's up with that recount?’ Nothing much.
Judge's decision signals Alameda County is not authorized to begin recounts
COUNTY NEWS
RCV RECOUNT
—NOTHING TO SEE HERE—With no resolution in sight to the botched ranked choice voting elections in Oakland and San Leandro last November, Alameda County Registrar of Voter Tim Dupuis is shifting his office’s attention to preparations for the 2024 election cycle.
—When asked by Supervisor Nate Miley whether Dupuis is prioritizing his work toward a recount or the upcoming March 2024 primary, Dupuis answered the latter.
—“We’re two months behind in preparation for the primary,” Dupuis said, adding the registrar’s office is figuring out how to juggle both issues.
—Dupuis’ comments were met with exasperation from public speakers on Tuesday afternoon. “If we’re going to get 2024 right, we need to get 2022 right first.” said Mindy Pechenuk, an assembly candidate in last year’s primary.
—Since the Alameda County registrar announced last December that an algorithm in its ranked choice voting software was incorrectly set, leading to a retabulation that changed the winner of an Oakland school board race, there has been little accountability for the electoral debacle.
—JUDGE WEIGHS IN—An Alameda County judge was expected on Tuesday to allow a retabulation of the Oakland school board race in District 2, but not a hand count, county counsel Donna Ziegler said.
—Essentially the judge’s order allows the registrar to officially document the retabulation of the vote in the Oakland school board that was performed last December. “That would put to a close the issue of recounting that election,” Ziegler said.
—The county sought to include in the lawsuit Oakland and San Leandro mayoral races, and the San Leandro City Council race in District 5. But the judge chose to limit the complaint to the Oakland school board race.
—Dupuis said his office is working with county counsel for other options to review the three other ranked choice voting races in question.
—The judge’s forthcoming decision was suitable evidence for Supervisor David Haubert to determine the previous computer tabulations were accurate. “We have this as evidence.” Haubert said. “Leave it to registrar of voters to decide between a computer count or a hand count.”
MORE INSIDE THE RECOUNT ISSUE:
Alameda County lacks recount authority
More lip-service from registrar
Candidates have moved on from RCV debacle
Miley’s RCV to-do list
Some voters creatively marked their ballots last fall
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