Election Connection - County of Santa Clara

In this episode, we interview Julia and Maria of the Voter Registration Division here at the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. They share insights on what their division does and how voters can register to vote. In this episode, we also introduce our new segment, Fun Facts with Frankie, where you can learn fun voting-related information!

Timestamps for Navigation:
(0:00) Introduction and guest icebreakers
(1:50) How to register to vote in California and DMV Motor Voter
(3:10) Responsibilities of the Voter Registration Division
(4:20) Conditional Voter Registration (same-day voting)
(5:20) Year-round voter roll maintenance and team structure
(7:00) Petition processing and signature verification rules
(9:10) Common voter inquiries and registering unhoused voters
(11:00) Statewide database (VoteCal) and preventing duplicate voting
(14:00) Fun Facts with Frankie: Voting rights history and global laws
(15:20) Elmwood Correctional Facility voter initiative
(17:10) Voter Action Request Form (VARF) and digital guide opt-outs
(18:10) Pre-registration for youth and managing high-volume elections

This episode of the Election Connection podcast features Bren and Louella from the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters' Candidate Services division. They discuss the vital, behind-the-scenes work required to manage local elections and support prospective candidates.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion:

Role of Candidate Services: The team serves as a guide for both candidates and jurisdictions, helping them navigate complex election laws, filing requirements, and documentation (0:37–2:16).

The Nomination Process: The nomination period typically begins 113 days before an election (0:47). The process involves rigorous paperwork review to ensure compliance with state election codes (1:25–2:53).

Candidate Support: The office provides extensive resources, including a Candidate Guide, precinct maps, and voter data, while also hosting workshops and presentations to help candidates prepare for their campaigns (4:07–5:31, 6:00–6:24).

Common Misconceptions: Running for office is a significant administrative undertaking. Candidates are responsible for meeting strict deadlines and understanding legal requirements; the office provides guidance but cannot offer legal advice (8:20–9:50).

Post-Election Responsibilities: Candidates must continue to file campaign finance reports (such as Form 460) as long as their committees remain open (9:55–10:30).

Timestamps for Navigation:
(0:37) Introduction to Candidate Services
(2:26) Understanding the nomination period
(4:04) The Candidate Services team
(6:26) What to expect as a first-time candidate
(8:20) Common myths about running for office
(10:48) Planning for the upcoming General Election
(13:16) Available candidate resources and workstations
(17:38) Why this work matters

Welcome to Election Connection, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the democratic process to meet the people who make elections possible. In this special episode recorded at the CACEO 2025 conference, we sit down with Natalie Adona, the Registrar of Voters for Marin County, to explore her "origin story" in election administration.

From her early days as a student poll worker to her influential research in Washington D.C., Natalie discusses the roots of integrity that guide her work and her journey back home to the Bay Area.

Timestamp Outline
0:00 – Conference Kickoff: Discussion on CalPEAC courses and learning the history of voting machines

0:42 – The History of the Ballot: Exploring the etymology of the word "ballot" ("little ball") and the ancient practice of negative voting using stones

1:20 – Guest Introduction: Meeting Natalie Adona, Registrar of Voters for Marin County

1:35 – Passion for Elections: Why Natalie chose this career and the experience of being "bitten by the bug"

1:55 – The Origin Story: Natalie’s start as a UC Berkeley poll worker and her early research into poll worker training

2:44 – First Professional Role: Training poll workers in San Francisco during the 2008 election 

3:40 – The Research Track: Natalie’s work with organizations like MapLight, Voters’ Edge and Project Vote during the financial crisis

4:25 – Moving to Washington D.C.: Working at the Democracy Fund to implement recommendations from the Presidential Commission on Election Administration

5:38 – Returning to California: How a chance interview at a Rolling Stones concert led to a role in Nevada County

6:20 – Coming Home to the Bay: Natalie’s transition to Marin County and the fulfillment of returning to her roots

Guest: Tricia Webber, Santa Cruz County Clerk and Registrar of Voters
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Podcast Outline & Key Timestamps
I. Introduction & Origin Story (00:00:12 – 00:01:28)
00:00:12 – Welcome: Tricia Webber introduces herself from the CACEO conference in San Ramon

00:00:30 – The Accidental Start: Tricia reveals she followed a boy to Santa Cruz and joined the elections department in 1997 as "extra help" on the advice of her future mother-in-law

00:01:06 – Career Path: A summary of her nearly 30-year journey, moving from poll worker management and Vote by Mail to being appointed County Clerk

II. Discovering the Power of a Vote (00:01:28 – 00:03:51)
00:01:45 – Personal Evolution: Tricia admits she was not a "good voter" initially because she didn't understand how she fit into the system

00:02:39 – The Single-Vote Contest: Tricia shares her first election experience in 1998, where a city council member won by just one vote

00:02:48 – Ensuring Accuracy: To confirm the single vote, the department counted the ballots approximately 75 times

00:03:18 – Local Impact: She discusses how people often focus on global or national elections while forgetting the massive impact a single voice has at the local level

III. Radical Transparency in Santa Cruz (00:03:51 – 00:05:50)
00:04:12 – Inviting the Public: The department’s philosophy is built on education, often telling the public, "Let's make you part of the process so you can understand it"

00:04:44 – Avoiding Recounts: Tricia explains that Santa Cruz rarely has formal recounts because they perform expanded 1% manual tallies during the canvass, keeping the process open for all candidates and proponents to see

IV. The "Election Bug" & The Reality of the Job (00:05:50 – 00:08:15)
00:05:50 – Handling the Intensity: Tricia describes the "wave pattern" of election work, which can go from 0 to 60 in less than a nanosecond

00:06:32 – Not a 9-to-5: She highlights the physical and mental demands of the job, including working 18-hour days for 12 days in a row

00:07:09 – Camaraderie for Democracy: The segment concludes with a discussion on the unique bond formed between election workers who stay up until 3:00 AM to ensure the job is finished for the sake of democracy

🔗 Learn more at sccvote.org
📞 Call us at (408) 299-VOTE (8683)

Subscribe for more stories and insights from the front lines of elections.

Welcome to Election Connection

What’s Inside:

A glimpse into the passion and purpose that drives election officials to serve. Personal stories of how they got started and what keeps them committed. Reflections on integrity, inclusion, and public trust in the elections process.

This is a multi-episode special series recorded at the 2025 CACEO Annual Conference in San Ramon. Each episode features interviews with election officials from across California—highlighting the people behind the process and the collaboration that makes our democracy work.

🔗 Learn more at sccvote.org
📞 Call us at (408) 299-VOTE (8683)

Subscribe for more stories and insights from the front lines of elections.

Welcome to Election Connection

What’s Inside:

A glimpse into the passion and purpose that drives election officials to serve

Personal stories of how they got started and what keeps them committed

Reflections on integrity, inclusion, and public trust in the elections process

This is the first in a multi-episode special series recorded at the 2025 CACEO Annual Conference in San Ramon. Each episode features interviews with election officials from across California—highlighting the people behind the process and the collaboration that makes our democracy work.

🔗 Learn more at sccvote.org
📞 Call us at (408) 299-VOTE (8683)

Subscribe for more stories and insights from the front lines of elections.
Explore the podcast

Welcome to Election Connection

What’s Inside:

A glimpse into the passion and purpose that drives election officials to serve

Personal stories of how they got started and what keeps them committed

Reflections on integrity, inclusion, and public trust in the elections process

This is the first in a multi-episode special series recorded at the 2025 CACEO Annual Conference in San Ramon. Each episode features interviews with election officials from across California—highlighting the people behind the process and the collaboration that makes our democracy work.

🔗 Learn more at sccvote.org
📞 Call us at (408) 299-VOTE (8683)

Subscribe for more stories and insights from the front lines of elections.

Did you know that in Santa Clara County, voters can get election materials in multiple languages, not just English? In this episode, we examine how language accessibility enables thousands of voters to fully participate in our democracy.

From translated ballots to County Voter Information Guides, we go behind the scenes with the people making it happen.

Whether you're an advocate, an election worker, or just curious about how it all works, this episode will leave you inspired and informed.

📲 Visit vote.santaclaracounty.gov for more information or to request election materials in your language.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more stories that connect communities through the power of voting.

In this episode, we interview Matt Moreles, the Acting Registrar of Voters for Santa Clara County. Mr. Moreles shares insights on how voters can prepare and create a plan ahead of the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election. We also dive into election security and the processes that ensure a smooth and secure voting experience.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, the Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Dewan discusses the importance of youth voice and voter education, the efforts to prepare students for civic engagement, and the opportunities to increase voter education ahead of the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election.