Make Election Process Easier

State Sen. Ed Davis (R-Santa Clarita) has introduced SB 1982, a bill that would require a county election officer to provide a good-faith estimate of costs associated with a candidate statement.

In 1990, I ran for a voluntary position on a local park board. In placing my name on the ballot, I submitted a candidate statement outlining my qualifications and interest in the job. Initially, I was billed approximately $500 for the candidate statement. Several months later, much to my surprise, I received another bill from Ventura County Clerk Dick Dean for an additional $500. At no time did Dean indicate that the cost of the candidate statement would double.

Dean ended up using the full force of his public office, the staff time of five county employees and the resources of the county counsel’s office to sue me in Small Claims Court.

I believe an election officer should do everything he can to make the election process understandable to the common citizen. I believe that he should promote the principles of citizen participation in our democracy.

And I believe that, when intelligent people of good will have disagreements, they should seek to resolve their differences in a non-threatening way rather than resort to big brother, big government tactics.

SB 1982 is a bill for everyday people who seek nothing more than to serve their community and who require nothing less than fair treatment from local election officials.

WILLIAM E. TANNER

Camarillo