If you feel like it’s taking longer than usual to get final election results, you’re not alone.
And you’re not wrong.
The election canvass in San Luis Obispo County has been met with a mix of anticipation and frustration, as voters, candidates, and political observers alike wonder why the tallying process feels more drawn-out than in previous years. But what many may not realize is that this slower pace is part of an intentional, carefully regulated process designed to ensure accuracy, transparency, and fairness. As the county election office works methodically to tabulate each eligible vote, it’s worth taking a step back to understand why patience is not only warranted but critical in today’s election climate.
Election canvassing is the final step in any California election cycle. During this 28-day period following Election Day, officials finish verifying, auditing, and counting every ballot received. This process involves validating provisional ballots, counting mail-in ballots that arrived close to the deadline, reconciling precinct data, and conducting a hand count of 1 percent of all ballots cast to confirm tabulator accuracy. Additionally, each ballot must undergo verification procedures, especially those arriving by mail. This involves cross-referencing signatures, verifying voter registration data, and, in some cases, resolving discrepancies directly with voters. With California’s recent move to a statewide Vote-by-Mail option, this process takes time. And rightfully so: Every ballot deserves the same careful consideration, whether it was cast early, late, in person, or by mail.
So why does it feel different now?
Simply put, the volume of mail-in and provisional ballots is higher than ever before. While many San Luis Obispo County voters have opted to vote by mail for some time, the fact that every single registered voter now has the chance to vote from home translates into even more mailed ballots—almost 50,000 in this election. Whether you support it or not, this law reflects the state’s commitment to enfranchise all voters, even if it extends the timeline.
Technology also plays a role, but not in the way many people think. While we live in an age of rapid technological advancement, election infrastructure remains intentionally secure and compartmentalized to protect the vote’s integrity. The system is designed for reliability and security rather than speed.
There’s also a critical emphasis on transparency. San Luis Obispo County, like other jurisdictions, opens the canvass to observers from the public, political parties, and advocacy groups. This transparency comes with its own checks and balances, including restricting ballot processing and tabulation locally to business hours, when the public has access. This inevitably adds more time to the process but is essential to maintain public trust.
With misinformation and public skepticism growing, it’s understandable that many of us anxiously wait for the results to be finalized. But it’s also a reminder of why the electoral process has these layers of security, verification, and cross-checks. In an era when each vote feels more consequential than ever, the canvass isn’t a delay—it’s a commitment to accuracy and democracy. As citizens, we can embrace the time it takes as a sign of a robust system working as it should.
Ultimately, the lengthy canvass is not a glitch in the system; it’s a feature. It’s a testament to San Luis Obispo County’s commitment to an accurate and fair election outcome, a testament to the meticulous and essential work happening behind the scenes. So, while the wait can be frustrating, it’s also a chance to appreciate the complexity, transparency, and diligence that democracy requires. Δ
Elaina Cano is SLO County’s clerk-recorder and registrar of voters. Send a response for publication by emailing letters@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Holiday Guide 2024.
I’ve watched the weekly updates of SLO County vote counts on the Secretary of State website for the last 3 elections and we’ve been either 53rd or 55th out of 58 counties, barely meeting the 30 day deadline. This is poor performance under Cano’s supervision and no mechanism for improvement is offered above or any hint of an apology. Reasons are followed by interventions and action. Excuses are not followed by solutions. The difference between reasons and excuses is the person’s perception whether there’s control. In the future let’s elect someone that exhibits the perception that they will improve the time frame with controls and resources rather than give excuses with no action plan. I can’t appreciate a testament of excuses.
Hi Scott, I’m Erin, and I work in the Elections Office here in SLO County. I wanted to share some actual statistics that — to be honest — make me very proud of our organization and our county’s voters.
You mentioned the last 3 elections, so I looked those up. These have to do with overall voter participation compared to other counties:
March 2024
11th overall
Only Marin has comparable voter registration; the other 9 counties ranked higher had fewer than 75k registered voters
Nov 2022
10th overall
Only Marin and Sonoma ranked higher w/ comparable voter reg
June 2022
10th overall
Only Marin ranked higher w/ comparable voter reg
Currently we are on track to do at least this well in Nov 2024, with more than 80% voter participation, and more than 150,000 ballots cast (as stated in the piece, almost all Vote-by-Mail). I know of other counties who would love to have those stats!
Regarding the rankings during counting, that’s subject to many factors, including that we’re all on different tabulation schedules, and it fluctuates throughout the canvass. It’s not a consistent metric. Another truth (not an excuse, but an explanation) is that like other CA counties, we don’t rush to certify because we want our voters to have every opportunity to cure their signatures where needed. Many take all the time allowed.
We’re constantly improving processes and looking at how to make things go as smoothly as possible. That’s one reason Elaina Cano fought for the new hi-speed scanner that has made a huge difference during tabulating for this election.
All of that said, we follow the law and Election Code to the letter, despite limited resources and community pressure. And we have an incredibly engaged community that shows up during an election. Those are both great things! You can ask for more results released faster, but I think that in this day and age, accuracy and security win out over speed every time.
Erin. I just looked again at 11pm Saturday and compensated for today’s 18k count.The figures I witnessed in the past don’t support and did not support those 10th place finishes overall. Maybe 10th out of 11 in a smaller group. I didn’t realize that I would have to take screenshots of what was obvious in the past or I would have, but I know what I saw . I realize 18k ballots were counted today/Saturday on overtime, leaving 6k uncounted. Even at 6k for a county with 150k total ballots it’s easy to see on the Secretary of State site that your office is performing as I described and will finish in the bottom quartile. Look for yourself at that table. From the 11/20 5pm report subtract the 18k done today and you’ll see what I see and have witnessed during the previous 3 elections. I don’t agree with your speed, accuracy, security statement. There wouldn’t have even this opinion piece if there wasn’t a speed issue that required the lowering of expectation with grooming.