County elections director outlines 2026 election preparations, equipment upgrades and voter services

Alma Damar Schultz, Clerk of the Board and Elections Director for Santa Cruz County, briefed the board May 20 on the office’s responsibilities and the county’s preparations for the 2026 election cycle, including equipment upgrades, poll‑worker recruitment and important election dates.

“My name is Alma Damar Schultz. I am the Clerk of the Board and Elections Director for Santa Cruz County,” Schultz told the board as she described office duties that include agenda and packet production, retention of official records, public records requests and administration of elections under Title 16.

Schultz described the elections workflow: ballot proofing, logic and accuracy testing with state and county parties, canvassing, and operation of 13 vote centers. She said the county is recruiting and training more than 100 poll workers, including more than 25 student poll workers recruited during a recent special election, and that hands‑on training scenarios cover contingencies such as power outages.

On equipment, Schultz said a new accessible marking device (ExpressVote unit) will replace a slower model and that an updated cage system that consolidates printers, poll books and backup batteries has reduced vote‑center setup time significantly.

Key dates: Schultz reminded the board that the 2026 primary election is July 21, 2026, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026. She also noted a relocation of certain voter services to a provisional community college building and urged community members to check the county elections website for sample ballots and updates.

After the presentation board members thanked Schultz for the office’s work and recommended adoption of her presentation format by other departments.