Oakland (Special to ZennieReport.com) – Mindy Pechenuk, the Oakland City Council at Large Candidate, sent a special story to Zennie62Media about news regarding transparent elections in Alameda County. Here’s Mindy’s posting.
My campaign for Oakland City Council At Large and my participation and work in the founding of EITACCA- The Election Integrity Team of Alameda County, with other Election Integrity advocates and our dedicated hard work over the last 3 years have succeeded in this breakthrough.
On, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 I was involved in witnessing a showdown at our Board of Supervisors meeting which ended up in a well fought victory for Transparency and Election Integrity in Alameda County.
My campaign for Oakland City Council At Large and my participation in helping to found The Election Integrity Team of Alameda County, with other Election Integrity advocates and their dedicated hard work over the last 3 years have succeeded in this breakthrough.. (Read the full story below)
Press Release: Victory for Transparent Elections in Alameda County
After three years of tireless advocacy and dedication, the Election Integrity Team of Alameda County, CA (EITACCA) has achieved a monumental victory in the fight for election transparency. In a historic decision, the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County has unanimously voted to approve the suggested direction of the ALCO Elections Oversight Commission supported by Supervisor Keith Carson and recommend the release of Cast Vote Records (CVRs) BEFORE the certification of election results, a groundbreaking win for the people of Alameda County.
This pivotal vote means that, for the first time in Alameda County’s history, CVRs will be made available to the public starting on election night. Subsequent updates will be released continuously until the final results are certified. This critical step allows the public to audit the tabulations in real-time, just as the Registrar of Voters does, ensuring that election integrity is upheld at every stage of the process.
The decision to release Cast Vote Records (CVRs) before election certification marks a significant step toward achieving true transparency in our electoral process. For too long, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has made unilateral decisions—such as implementing the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) without adequate public consent—that have undermined transparency, timeliness, accuracy, and the overall integrity of our elections. The move to VCA has introduced centralized voting procedures that often obscure the tabulation process, making it more difficult for the public to observe and audit election outcomes.
With the release of CVRs after election night and with each subsequent update, we, the people, are finally empowered to audit election tabulations in real-time, just as election officials do. This practice restores the critical element of public oversight, which is the foundation of a functioning democracy. Releasing these records before certification is not just a win for Alameda County; it’s a victory for every citizen committed to ensuring elections are transparent, fair, and reflective of the will of the people.
This change moves us one step closer to reclaiming the integrity of our elections, counteracting the damage done by opaque administrative decisions. Let this be the beginning of a new era of electoral transparency, where the voice of the people is honored, protected, and trusted.
The journey to this achievement was not without its challenges. EITACCA encountered significant resistance from Alameda County’s Registrar of Voters for several years, with numerous public requests and suggestions presented to the Board of Supervisors (BoS). In the past year, the BoS established an Elections Oversight Commission, with which EITACCA engaged extensively, emphasizing the critical importance of making this effort one of their first priorities.
The Registrar of Voters resisted calls for transparency and fought against releasing the CVRs before certification. Despite facing significant resistance, we remained resolute in our commitment to holding election officials accountable and protecting the integrity of our democratic process. Ultimately, support for this initiative extended across a broad coalition of election integrity advocates throughout the Bay Area. This coalition included prominent organizations such as the League of Women Voters, the Alameda County Democratic Party, Fair Vote, and Common Cause, as well as numerous dedicated citizen advocates for election transparency.”
With this decision, Alameda County becomes only the second county in California to release CVRs before certification, following the trailblazing efforts of San Francisco County. This marks a significant step forward in election transparency, and sets a powerful precedent for other counties to follow suit.
“This is a victory for the people of Alameda County and for all Americans who value transparency and accountability in our elections,” said Jackie Cota, Vice Chair of Alameda County Republican Party and Chair of EITACCA. “The release of Cast Vote Records allows us, the citizens, to verify that our elections are conducted fairly and accurately. This is how democracy should work.”
The significance of this decision cannot be overstated. In an era where public trust in elections is being questioned, this move restores faith in the process, providing the tools for the public to audit results and hold election officials accountable.
This is not just a win for Alameda County, but for all who believe in transparent and secure elections. The people have spoken, and their voices have been heard. With this decision, Alameda County joins the growing movement across the nation, ensuring that the electoral process remains open, verifiable, and trustworthy.
This victory serves as a reminder that with persistence and unity, the people can overcome even the most entrenched barriers to transparency.