Voting Center Decision

Dear OCEA member,

The Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is one the most professional and well-run elections offices in California. The commitment shown in maintaining and improving the machinery of our democratic process is inspiring. The innovation shown by you and your coworkers in developing the new Vote Center Model—which promised to make voting more inclusive, convenient and democratic—justifies the confidence the community has in your work.

Today, the Board of Supervisors had the opportunity to begin acquiring the equipment needed to support the Vote Center Model and vastly improve a system that has been largely unchanged since the 1920’s. The Board opted not to go forward and did so with no discussion. It is beyond disappointing that the Board would squander this unique opportunity and in the process overlook the professionalism and hard work of ROV employees.

Regardless of the Board’s decision, we know that OCEA members at the ROV have poured their collective energy into a new system that maintains the ability of citizens to cast their ballots in-person while creating additional opportunities for more voters to participate in a process intrinsic to our democracy.

We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in your work to make voting more accessible. The OC ROV remains the envy of elections offices in the nation, and today’s vote by the Board of Supervisor doesn’t change that.

In Solidarity,

Jennifer Beuthin
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: June 13, 2017