Media

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Elaina Cano, the appointed San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder, has declared her candidacy. Cano, who has lived in San Luis Obispo County with her husband, Marty, since 1992, is among 3 candidates for the non-partisan position, whose duties include that of County Clerk, County Recorder and Registrar of Voters. Cano will base her campaign upon her qualifications as the only experienced candidate, having worked in the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s office for almost five years and in Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor and Elections Department for two years.

Cano currently manages the Clerk-Recorder’s 21 employees and the implementation of the department’s $3.9 million budget. During the upcoming campaign, Cano will focus on informing voters about the various and complex aspects of the Clerk-Recorder’s office and more specifically, the changes to voters voting districts due to the recent redistricting efforts by the State and the County Board of Supervisors. Unlike political offices where candidates are selected for the agenda they will advance, the Clerk-Recorder’s office requires specific training and hands-on experience to ensure that the divisions continue to operate smoothly, efficiently, and lawfully. 

Cano places a high priority on prompt, friendly and efficient customer service in all the divisions she leads.  “I am proud of our employees who do a stellar job of serving our citizens,” Cano said.

“I am committed to fairness, public access, and personal accountability.  I will make myself available at any time to meet with individuals and groups to discuss the operations of my department and my qualifications to continue to serve as County Clerk-Recorder,” Cano offered.  

Cano is a principal member of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials and a principal member of the County Recorders Association of California. Her membership in these organizations helps her to stay current on proposed laws, new technology or processes relating to elections and Clerk-Recorder responsibilities, and to collaborate with colleagues in the fifty-seven other counties in the state. Cano is a Certified Municipal Clerk, Registered Elections Official and a California Professional Election Administrator. She also holds an Associates in Arts degree from Cuesta College and a Bachelor’s in Arts degree from the University of LaVerne.

Excerpt:

WE ENDED UP WITH A QUALIFIED COUNTY CLERK 

County Clerk/Recorder Tommy Gong resigned before the end of his term, after being besieged by “Stop the Steal” conservatives who questioned his competence, asked whether he belonged to the “Chinese Communist Party” and demanded election “reforms,” such as hand-counting ballots. The far-right majority on the Board of Supervisors seriously considered applications from a variety of unqualified candidates as replacements for Gong.

Supervisor Lynn Compton emerged as hero-for-the-day by ultimately voting with the liberal minority to limit the field of finalists who would be interviewed. That paved the way for the appointment of Elaina Cano, who had held supervisory positions in county clerk offices in both Santa Barbara and SLO County, and had served as city clerk in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. Big sigh of relief.

The appointment will continue until 2023 when Tommy Gong’s position would have been up for election.

Eliana Cano, Vicki Nohrden & Templeton High Drama