Episode 28: SCC Registrar of Voters Recount Process (2024 Election Series)

In this episode, Ellina Yin provides a general overview of and the four different types of recounts, from the Registrar of Voter website: California’s required automatic manual tally, County of Santa Clara's automatic recount policy, voter requested recounts, and court ordered recounts. This episode is specific to Santa Clara County, for Statewide Recount information you can visit the California Secretary of State's (https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/regulations/current-regulations/elections/recounts)

Recently, Santa Clara County became the poster child for EVERY VOTE COUNTS, the March 5 Primary resulted in a rare 2 way tie for second place in the race for Congressional District 16, a statewide contest which impacts Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is the lead and heading to the November General Election, with current Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian and Assemblymember Evan Low tied for second place, sending all three into the November General Election. However, a recount could potentially change the outcome.

*Special thanks to Grace Hase, a reporter who has been covering the congressional race for the Mercury News for clarifying the different local/county and state processes.

In the news:

1. "Tied again: Evan Low and Joe Simitian are back in a dead heat for second as congressional recount nears the end," by Grace Hase, Mercury News (https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/04/23/tied-again-evan-low-and-joe-simitian-are-back-in-a-dead-heat-for-second-as-congressional-recount-nears-the-end/)
2. "Silicon Valley congressional recount closing in on final tally" by Jana Kadah, San José Spotlight (https://sanjosespotlight.com/california-bay-area-silicon-valley-congressional-district-16-recount-closing-in-on-final-tally-election-2024/)  

Sources:

1. Registrar of Voters, Santa Clara County – Recount Process (https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/elections/recounts-and-faqs)
2. California Elections Code Section 15360 (http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&sectionNum=15360)
3. County of Santa Clara’s automatic recount Policy 3.63 / page 141 (https://boardclerk.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb656/files/BOSPolicyCHAP3.pdf)
4. Contested elections (http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=ELEC&division=16.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=)
5. Court ordered recounts, see Division 15, Chapter 9, Article 4 of the California Elections Code (http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&division=15.&title=&part=&chapter=9.&article=4)
6. California Secretary of State's - Recounts (https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/regulations/current-regulations/elections/recounts)