Candidate statement from Cathy Darling
My name is Cathy Darling, and currently I am your County Clerk, elected in 2006. I am writing to ask for your support and the gift of your vote on June 8th.
I was appointed Shasta County Clerk/Registrar of Voters on September 7, 2004. Before that I served as the Assistant County Clerk/Registrar of Voters in the last fifteen months of Ann Reed’s service to the voters of Shasta County. In 2006 I was elected to serve my first full term with over 90% of the vote.
I feel the right to vote is one of the most important rights and responsibilities we have as citizens of this great country, and I am proud to administer elections in Shasta County. I worked for many years in the private sector, but was drawn to government service because of a desire to make a meaningful contribution to my community.
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, putting myself through school; I got my first job at age 13, and have always worked. I live in Anderson with my children and husband.
I have administered elections over the past 6 years using several different configurations of voting equipment, according to the most recent changes in state and federal election law. I played a vital role in implementing the new electronic voting system in 2003. In 2007, when the rules for use of electronic equipment in the polling place changed, I was instrumental in developing procedures for the successful introduction of the new required security measures. In November 2007, we reintroduced paper ballots to the polling place. Over the past 6 years, I have gained valuable experience that helps to ensure the Shasta County Elections process is transparent and accessible.
I have personally trained our wonderful volunteer poll workers for 14 of the past 15 elections, as well as introduced an on-line training program for poll workers. The past six years have also seen the complete update of the elections department website including improved voter services, such as the ability to request a voter registration card, check the status of voter registration and the voter’s vote-by-mail ballot.
I have spent my time and energy during my service to the voters of Shasta County developing relationships with other registrars in counties across California, as well as Secretary of State staff, and state and national experts in elections to keep Shasta County’s needs and objectives addressed at the state level.
I currently serve as the Treasurer for the California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials (CACEO). I have served on the CACEO Legislative Committee, and co-chaired the Military Voter and Provisional Sub-Committee.
I have attended California Professional Elections Administration Certification (CalPEAC) courses conducted by the CACEO. I am one of two CalPEAC certified election officials in Shasta County (the other works for me).
I have worked with the Secretary of State on the Post-Election Mandatory Audit committee, developing regulation language to ensure the accuracy of California vote counts. I worked successfully with the state in obtaining 100% reimbursement of county general fund dollars spent in purchasing the 2003 voting system.
I have presided over a time period when the laws regarding marriage have been in turmoil, with many changes presented by a less-than-prepared state agency, and have done so fairly and impartially, in accordance with the laws as they changed. The rules regarding issuance of passports and the requirements for travel documents have undergone huge changes over the past six years. My office has received dozens of calls thanking us for assistance, even cards and flowers (on multiple occasions). I am extremely proud of my office’s reputation for customer service, which I believe is exceptional in government service.
I feel it is extremely important to have a County Clerk that can be objective, and who has experience in interpreting legislation, writing and communicating new practices and procedures, one knows how to work collaboratively for the good of the county, the citizens and our voters. I am that Clerk.
With your support, and your vote, elections in Shasta County will continue to be smooth and error-free, with every vote counted as it was cast.
Bio: Cathy Darling
During her time at the Clerk’s office, Cathy Darling has overseen the successful implementation of the touch-screen voting system and supervised the most hectic election schedule in decades: the Gubernatorial Recall Election, the UDEL Election of 2003, the Presidential Primary Election of 2004 and the Presidential General Election that followed, all within 14 months.
Prior to joining the staff at the County Clerk’s office, Cathy worked for five years with Shasta County, serving as an analyst for the Department of Social Services.
Cathy was born and raised in Washington D.C., and had a childhood that took advantage of the history around that area. Her school bus route went up Pennsylvania Avenue and past the White House each day; she’d frequently visit museum exhibits and studied for exams at the Library of Congress. She left it all behind for California when she was 18 and attended Santa Barbara City College and the University of California at Santa Barbara, from which she graduated in 1993.
-Bio excerpt from Shasta County’s Web site.
