Program Summary William Rousseau
A Man of Many Hats
William, “Bill” Rousseau, Sonoma County Assessor, Clerk, and Registrar of Voters wears many hats. While the above three titles describe his official roles, the scope of skills necessary to accomplish these key functions for Public Records, Revenue generation and collection and sustaining compliant, democratic elections is wide.
Bill, also a Rotarian, informed us of the push to apply sound economic business principles where ever possible in administering elections. To wit, even with a turnout rate in the last election nearly double that of the State overall, 60%v35%, in Sonoma County only 14% of 200 precincts reported significant voter turnout. Reflected in that percent is the high utilization of mail in ballots in Sonoma County. This option greatly reduces voter delay at local precincts, and ultimately can save the county lots of funds by eliminating Poll Worker recruiting, training and compensation costs.
Currently California is developing an online statewide voter registration program, which will allow same day voting privileges. This initiative is forecast to go live in 2016 and will do away with the need to re-register in person after changing address.
Bill’s recommendations to optimize our resources in the area of voting? Use available online registration tools and advocate for more; Vote by mail; Opt out of printed mailings and instead access online, opt into “Go Green”.
Bill, also a Rotarian, informed us of the push to apply sound economic business principles where ever possible in administering elections. To wit, even with a turnout rate in the last election nearly double that of the State overall, 60%v35%, in Sonoma County only 14% of 200 precincts reported significant voter turnout. Reflected in that percent is the high utilization of mail in ballots in Sonoma County. This option greatly reduces voter delay at local precincts, and ultimately can save the county lots of funds by eliminating Poll Worker recruiting, training and compensation costs.
Currently California is developing an online statewide voter registration program, which will allow same day voting privileges. This initiative is forecast to go live in 2016 and will do away with the need to re-register in person after changing address.
Bill’s recommendations to optimize our resources in the area of voting? Use available online registration tools and advocate for more; Vote by mail; Opt out of printed mailings and instead access online, opt into “Go Green”.
Pay your property taxes, on time.
What is the county’s political registration profile?
51% Democrat, 21% Republican, 21% Undeclared, 2% Green, 1% Libertarian, .3% Peace & Freedom.
What is the county’s political registration profile?
51% Democrat, 21% Republican, 21% Undeclared, 2% Green, 1% Libertarian, .3% Peace & Freedom.
Keeping Bill especially busy now is implementing online Poll Worker training, Polling Place Guidelines and gearing up for the quarter cent sales tax increase to improve county roads.
Looking ahead, Bill foresees Regional Voting Centers to consolidate polling places from 200 to 50. SB 391 is being debated as the State's next move to upgrade voting technology. The issue of "certifiable" to stricter State versus Federal standards holds the key to passage or not.
Bill's focus on election administration reminded us the Four Way Test applies in all enterprises.
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