Elections Procedures

* Given all the attention to election procedures elsewhere, it seems appropriate to extend a public thank you to County Clerk Richard Dean, Assistant Registrar Bruce Bradley and the capable staff of the Ventura County Elections Division, as well as the hundreds of citizens who serve as clerks and inspectors at polling places throughout Ventura County.

It was my pleasure to serve as an inspector during the most recent election and as a volunteer clerk during the March primary. I have also been a school board candidate in the past. In all my encounters with these folks, I have been impressed by their meticulous attention to detail and their unwavering dedication to fairness, honesty and accuracy.

Ventura County’s system incorporates so many checks and balances that election fraud would be virtually impossible to perpetrate, should one be so inclined. The entire process is open to the public. All ballots are numbered and all unused, spoiled or otherwise damaged ballots must be returned and accounted for. Every voter signs in, and the number of ballots cast is cross-checked against the signature roster. Voters are offered a replacement ballot if they mis-punch or otherwise spoil a ballot, and all possible courtesy and assistance are extended to elderly and handicapped individuals to ensure that no person is denied their right to vote. (The machines used by our county virtually eliminate the infamous “hanging chad” problem.)

I was impressed by the quality of the training required for inspectors and encouraged for all clerks and volunteers, and the absolutely nonpartisan attitude of all Elections Division personnel.

I have no doubt that in Ventura County, this election was as fair, honest and accurate as it could possibly be. Perhaps the time has come to share our methods and procedures with those in other parts of the country, where some serious problems appear to exist.

DIRK A. DeKREEK

Thousand Oaks