Nicholas asks Benjamin Hershberger, Juan Pablo Cervantes, Tiffany Hunt Nielsen…
Technical Advancements
How will you help bring Humboldt County into the digital age?
— Nicholas
Responses
Tiffany Hunt Nielsen
The Recorder’s Office has been working to update our office further into the digital age. In November 2021 the Index of recorded documents starting in 1979 to current was released to our website. It is possible to purchase a document and download it from the comfort of your home or office. Visit Humboldt County Recorder’s Office and choose Search/Self Service Web. In addition, the Recorder has approval to begin E-Recording and the office is making progress to implement that option. I also add forms and information to our website regularly.
The Registrar’s office has purchased equipment and implemented electronic systems as allowed by the regulations, while still maintaining transparency and the integrity of the elections. I am open to technological advancement as new tech becomes available, as long as it proves to be secure and accurate.
Juan Pablo Cervantes
To improve access to our services and public records, it is clear to me that Humboldt would benefit from modern government systems. However, I recognize that Humboldt County is constrained in implementing modern digital platforms by the financial and staffing limitations common among rural governments. To overcome these constraints, we are made to do more with less.
I am committed to getting the job done for Humboldt, and continuously improving the services offered by the Clerk, Recorder, and Registrar. As new tools become available, I’ll diligently lead efforts that evaluate how these tools will work for our residents and businesses. I’ll ensure that innovative technology is appropriately implemented so that it frees more resources to give people better one-on-one service as they navigate complex bureaucratic systems. And, I’ll focus on improving access for all Humboldt residents, regardless of geography, livelihood, age, ethnicity, race, or cultural heritage.
The same skill sets that I put to work while serving as an Elections Official under our current Clerk, Recorder & Registrar, Kelly Sanders, will guide me in improving your digital and online experience. I was responsible for overseeing the acquisition and development of our elections systems (evaluating software), and I led efforts in the acquisition, maintenance, and management of our voter equipment (evaluating hardware). I developed chain-of-custody protocols to ensure the integrity of your elections equipment (establishing security practices). I also took a lead role in creating our ballots (legal compliance) and revamping the way that we convey information through our voter and candidate guides (communicating information effectively). Finally, I worked on a package of grant proposals to upgrade and fortify our Election Management Systems Server from the California Voting Modernization board - efforts that are leading toward a more resilient elections ecosystem (finding the funds).
To answer your question with greater specifics, I offer three approaches to implementing modern government systems in Humboldt.
1. I will immediately take steps to create a more intuitive online experience for Humboldt by revamping the Clerk, Recorder & Registrar website to improve the way that we communicate information. It is not enough to make information public - we must make information on our website easier to find and easier to understand. To do this, I will redevelop the organization of our website to help you get from our homepage to the content that you ultimately came to the site to find. And I will make sure that we communicate the step-by-step procedures that help you understand how you can best interact with the services provided by the Clerk, Recorder & Registrar - whether you are looking to obtain a marriage license/certificate, to record a deed on land you just purchased, or to file the requisite documents to officially declare your candidacy for a government office.
This is a low-cost entry point to improving your access to existing digital resources and your understanding of both the services that we offer and how you can effectively engage with these services.
2. I will make sure that we offer an increasingly interactive online experience. I recognize that there is a growing expectation of Humboldt residents to have information conveyed through interactive processes. Specific to the Offices of the Clerk, Recorder & Registrar, I am committed to improving your ability to identify and monitor public records! For example - while we currently publish campaign finance statements online, you should have the ability to search records by candidate name or document type, and to receive email notices when a candidate files a new statement with the Registrar.
3. I will evaluate, and implement when appropriate, service-specific tools that improve the delivery of services by the offices of the Clerk and Recorder. There are two service-specific tools that your Clerk, Recorder & Registrar should be pursuing.
Remote recording (or e-recording) is a secure and cost-efficient way for Humboldt County to record documents in California. Currently, e-recording delivery systems are not available in Humboldt County - but your County Clerk, Recorder & Registrar is the official that is authorized to establish an e-recording delivery system (with BOS approval and certification of the Attorney General). Our outgoing Clerk, Recorder & Registrar, Kelly Sanders, has initiated the process of bringing an e-recording system to Humboldt County. If this process has not been completed before Kelly leaves office, I will take up the work where she left off.
Electronic notarization (or e-notarization) is a great tool for improving your access to government services, particularly for people living in remote areas or who otherwise have difficulty traveling to the offices of the Clerk and Recorder. E-notarization allows for a notary public to electronically notarize most documents using a digital seal and to submit these documents remotely to the Clerk, Recorder & Registrar. I am strongly in support of implementing an e-notarization system in Humboldt County, though I will take a careful approach to adopting e-notarization policies and practices to ensure that we move forward in step with California law.
Visit VoteforJuanPablo.com to learn more about my platform.
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