A voter is seen at the polls Nov. 4 in San Benito County. Officials are seeking solutions to ensure that vote counts aren't released as late as during the November election.
San Benito County elections officials are devising a plan for supervisors' consideration that would attempt to solve the two major contributors to a delay last month in releasing vote totals - finding a reliable counting room and acquiring a second tallying machine.
Head elections official Joe Paul Gonzalez informed supervisors last week that solving those two problems would reduce potential roadblocks toward getting results tallied and released in a reasonable time frame, even when turnout is relatively high as it was for the Nov. 4 election at 82 percent in San Benito County.
While a ballot featuring the presidential race ultimately lacked any razor-thin local races, residents here hoping to see somewhat final tallies could not do so that night, early the next morning and for days after - as vote counts progressed gradually until near completion about a week later.
Gonzalez has zeroed in on the counting room for one because a court hearing was scheduled on Election Day this year and booked up the normally reserved area later than election officials had anticipated.
There appeared to be wide support on the board for that option at the meeting.
"We need to work to ensure we get a room," said Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, the board chairman.
Gonzalez also told supervisors that acquiring a refurbished counting machine from the current contractor, Sequoia Systems, may allow "quicker results" if needed and would serve as a backup otherwise.
Board members were open to the option for the most part, though Supervisor Don Marcus said he would not support spending any money on a machine - while he cited Gonzalez' earlier commentary on the technology how there is uncertainty if the current systems will be obsolete in the near future.
Gonzalez, meanwhile, diffused a suggestion by incoming Supervisor Margie Barrios to examine whether to seek a different machine servicer to compare price, because he noted how San Benito is under contract with Sequoia.
As supervisors and Gonzalez discussed possible solutions at last week's meeting, the clerk noted how the contractor has one refurbished machine and another that previously had been leased by a municipality. Supervisor Pat Loe followed up by encouraging Gonzalez to ask about the leasing possibility and she said she would "feel better" about the added cost if it's on the table.
Gonzalez had explained to supervisors how the leasing option had been sought
"That's one of the options to look into," Gonzalez told the Free Lance on Monday.
In the next couple of months, Gonzalez expects to have "concrete alternatives" for supervisors to consider.
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