Letter: A heartfelt thank you from county registrar of voters

Open letter to San Benito County residents, Nov. 8: 

I am writing to share my gratitude for your engagement in our recent election and to provide a brief update on how the day unfolded. Thanks to your participation, the election was a resounding success, with a remarkable turnout and an overwhelmingly positive spirit.

However, I also want to acknowledge the challenges we faced and highlight the dedication that ensured the process ran smoothly.

We witnessed an enthusiastic turnout, with more than 500 election day registrations, including many first-time voters, from young people casting ballots for the first time to a 97-year-old great-grandmother who voted for the first time just months after becoming a U.S. citizen. These moments remind us of the power and importance of our democratic process.

Despite the overall success, the day was not without its challenges. There were some confrontations and unpleasant behaviors, including a few minor threats directed at our poll workers. 

While none of these situations escalated beyond our control, it is critical to acknowledge the seriousness of these threats to ensure our community remains vigilant and committed to the safety of all involved.

It is also important to point out that this election was held in the wake of a fire that burned down our downtown office location in September of last year. We have since rebuilt and reconstructed our office, and this new facility—larger and equipped with a warehouse—gave us the space we needed to count ballots more efficiently. 

As a result, we were able to release a record 15,352 votes out of 25,782, and by the end of this week, we expect to add an additional 5,000, which is about 80% of all votes cast. This is a direct result of the hard work, planning, and resources put into this new facility, which allowed us to process ballots quickly and accurately.

I am deeply grateful to the law enforcement personnel, including Hollister Chief of Police Carlos Reynoso and Sheriff Eric Taylor, whose presence helped maintain order and security at our polling places.

Our election was made possible thanks to the dedication of more than 60 poll workers, many of whom were highly experienced, including 25 retired military veterans who continue to serve our community with pride. These individuals worked tirelessly for over 20 hours on Election Day, ensuring that every ballot was counted accurately and securely.

Behind the scenes, our permanent election staff deserves special recognition. They have been working 70-hour weeks for the past two months, often giving up weekends, holidays and precious time with family to make sure the election ran smoothly. I am immensely proud of their dedication and professionalism.

I would also like to extend my deepest thanks to the many community partners whose contributions were vital to the success of this election. Dave Wright of Wright Bros Welding and Sheet Metal installed drop box video cameras to enhance security. Level 1 Security provided nightly surveillance for our polling places. 

Noriega Electric ensured the mobile polling place was up and running, ensuring that rural residents in Aromas, Tres Pinos and Dunnville had the opportunity to cast their ballots.

Additionally, I must thank county employees like Henie Ring, Arriel Goodspeed, Henry Flores and Luciano Cortez, who volunteered their time in the face of staff shortages, performing critical duties such as ballot counting, equipment delivery and ballot printing.

This election was a true community effort. I am proud to say that it was made possible by the commitment and hard work of so many individuals. 

To my permanent County Clerk, Recorder, and Elections staff, thank you. You are the heart of this operation, and your service is invaluable.

In closing, while we celebrate the success of this election, it is crucial that we recognize the importance of maintaining respect and safety at our polling places. We must ensure that everyone—voters, workers, and volunteers—can participate in the democratic process free from fear or intimidation. 

Let’s continue to work together to preserve the integrity of our elections and the strength of our community.

Thank you again for your participation, your trust, and your dedication to ensuring our elections remain free, fair and safe for all.

Francisco Diaz

County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters