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Auditor explains how ballot name order and random draws work
Summary
County Auditor Tom told the board the secretary of state's office configures party-race ordering and rotation; for many local races the county performs a public random draw (described as pulling names from an 'Easter egg') and broadcasts it on Facebook.
A supervisor asked for clarification about how candidate names are ordered on ballots and whether names change after recounts. Tom, the county auditor, explained the division of responsibilities and the county’s process.
"The secretary of state's office sets it up," Tom said, describing how party-based races and rotations are configured at the state level. He added that for many local contests the county conducts a live random drawing: "...for example, the local elections, we literally draw names. So just like we've done here when there's ties, we put names in an Easter egg in Easter eggs, and we draw them. We do do that live, so you can pull it up and see it via our Facebook page."
Tom said practices vary by race and that the auditor's office will check specific races when asked. The explanation followed a question from a supervisor about recounts and ballot appearance; Tom said he would look up specifics for the races named by the supervisor.
The board received the explanation with no further motion recorded on recounts; the meeting proceeded to adjourn.
