Jennifer Leeland asks Benjamin Hershberger, Juan Pablo Cervantes, Tiffany Hunt Nielsen…

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How will you deal with controversial issues?

How will you respond if your office is accused of fraud?  How will you remain politically neutral in the current high drama political atmosphere?  What is your plan to protect the voice of Humboldt County?

— Jennifer Leeland

Responses

Juan Pablo Cervantes

(1) In the Elections Office, transparency is how we build trust and combat misinformation. We go beyond any other county in California by working with the Election Transparency Project, an outside nonprofit that conducts a complete independent count of every ballot to make sure that our results are correct - and their work is made fully available to the public! As Liaison to the Election Transparency Project, I understand the importance of this work. As your Registrar, I will make sure that this review process continues with full cooperation from our office.

 

(2) I understand the importance of the politically neutral administration of elections. When I started working at the Elections Office, I registered as a “no party preference” voter. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t stop holding political beliefs. But this wasn’t a mere symbolic gesture. During elections season, when the pressure is on and the workdays get longer, I live and breathe no party preference. All candidates and measures deserve to receive that same level of service, without partisan preference. Every eligible Humboldt voter deserves access to the ballot, regardless of who they intend to vote for. Favoritism is for the voters, not for elections officials.

 

(3) To protect the voice of Humboldt County,  I will build upon the work of our prior two Registrars, who have created a secure and functional elections system. In doing this, I will bring to the Elections Office the same core value that I have always believed in for myself, both personally and professionally, and that is the value of “continuous improvement.” 

 

Some of the work I wish to build on includes increasing our media presence. Now more than ever, it is critical for our offices’ work to be visible to the people. Between our Logic and Accuracy Tests, Internal Audits, Manual Tallies, and Observer Programs, there are many processes in place that protect the voice of Humboldt County. However, we must build a closer relationship with our residents on the platforms they’re currently on so that we can make them aware of our processes that are based on principles of transparency, accessibility, and security. The first step in combating misinformation is inoculating them with the truth first hand.

 

During the last 3-years of exceptionally challenging elections, I have had the honor of working alongside our current Clerk, Recorder, and Registrar, Kelly Sanders, to overcome the hurdles that we faced. My experience will be a great benefit in properly handling the responsibilities of this office and protecting your voice through the process. This experience includes:

  • Campaign Finance Administration
  • Poll Worker Training
  • Overseeing Election Systems Acquisition and Development
  • Voting Equipment Acquisition, Maintenance, and Management
  • Creating Voter Information Materials 
  • Creating, Tabulating and Reporting Ballots
  • Providing Candidate Services
  • Conducting Community Outreach
  • Registering Voters
  • Conducting Legislative Research
  • Researching and Fulfilling Public Records Requests. 

 

The Registrar of Voters is responsible for registering voters and maintaining voter files; conducting federal, state, local, and special elections; and verifying initiatives, referendums, and recall petitions. Humboldt County needs someone with elections expertise to oversee the elections process for the 100 + districts. 

Tiffany Hunt Nielsen

Fraud in the Election’s Office is a big concern for the community, but I have witnessed first hand by working in the Humboldt County Registrar of Voters office during the last 3 major elections how the technology, strict regulations for handling ballots and diligent workers protect the integrity of the voters. If elected I will implement an education program to share with the community how the office prevents fraud.

Remaining neutral is essential in the Registrar of Voters office. Serving the candidates, constituents and public as their requests arise should be the focus of all in the office.  Personal political beliefs are not permitted. I have experience de-escalating stressful interactions and will remain calm and curious. I will also use the resources available to the Registrar’s office in our county to further assist if needed.

The voice of the public in Humboldt is not something any of these offices have control over.  The voice of those who choose to vote will continue to be protected by the Registrar of Voters office as it has been in the past.  Humboldt County has a secure and transparent Elections office.