March 31, 2014 CONTACT: LARRY HERRERA, City Clerk Phone: 562-570-6489, [email protected] Website: www.longbeach.gov/elections FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE On Friday, March 28, 2014, the City of Long Beach City Clerk Department, in compliance with California Election Code 15000, conducted a Logic and Accuracy test in preparation for the Primary Nominating Election on April 8, 2014. The Logic and Accuracy test is conducted prior to every election to ensure that every device used to tabulate ballots accurately records each vote. The test led to the discovery that some ballots were not processing as expected. Upon researching the cause of this irregularity, Larry Herrera, City Clerk of Long Beach, determined that, while the ballot tabulation software correctly captured votes on page one of the ballot, the votes on page two were not being recognized. To address this issue and maintain the integrity and accuracy of all votes cast by Long Beach voters, the City Clerk Department and K & H Integrated Print Solutions moved quickly to: 1. Reprint the Logic and Accuracy test ballots; 2. Conduct a second successful Logic and Accuracy test of all 295 precinct ballots; 3. Confirm the correct tabulation of votes on both pages of the ballot for all 295 precincts; 4. Reprint official ballots for all 169 precincts impacted by the ballot anomaly; and 5. Prepare for duplication of ballots pursuant to Elections Code 15210, so that every vote cast by the voter is counted as intended by each voter, and as required by law. "Long Beach voters should know that Logic and Accuracy tests are in place exactly for this purpose, i.e., to ensure the accurate tabulation of all votes cast," said Herrera. "While it is unfortunate that this event occurred, our long time printer, K&H, has collaborated with my office in taking responsible and prompt action to print replacement ballots. K & H will also assist my office with ballot duplication. I want every voter and candidate to know that our duplication process will accurately record every vote as required by law. There will be no charge to the City for reprinting of precinct ballots or ballot duplication assistance." "My announcement of what occurred is intended to demonstrate the full transparency of municipal elections in Long Beach," continued Herrera. "I am grateful for the hard work of our election employees and K & H for bringing about a quick solution to the challenge we faced. All I ask is that Long Beach voters know we will always do our best to serve this City." Verification, inspection and any necessary duplication of Vote-By-Mail (VBM) ballots will begin at 9 A.M., on Tuesday, April 1, and continue through April 7, 2014. Any member of the public or candidate can observe the VBM canvass process.
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