Business plans of registrar, assistant wait as challenges of elections loom
By SCOTT VANHORNE, Staff Writer
Call it the final exam for Registrar of Voters Scott Konopasek and his assistant Stephen Trout.
Before the duo start their own consulting business ForeFront Election Solutions in January, they must pull off what some predict will be the most scrutinized election in the nation's history.
"I'm highly invested in making sure this is a successful election,' Konopasek said.
So far, the two have dealt with a printing error that left party affiliations off two legislative races on absentee ballots, and a U.S. Postal Service goof that resulted in a few absentee ballots being returned for lack of adequate postage.
Registrars will pay postage on official absentee ballots that don't have enough, but they don't advertise this fact to avoid extra costs and mistaken returns. This year's ballot weighs a little over an ounce and needs extra postage, much of which is being paid by the county.
While Konopasek knows any election goofs could follow him and Trout into the private sector, he said they do not plan to run this election differently than they have past races.
"It doesn't change the pressure on us, and it doesn't change the expectations,' he said. "My credibility is at stake every time I do an election.'
Former Washington State Election Director Gary McIntosh, who started a consulting business in 2001, said potential clients usually consider a person's reputation in their state and nationally.
"I don't know that people who require your services spend a lot of time looking at what types of election problems you had when you were an election director,' he said.
Konopasek, who worked as the elections chief in Snohomish County, Wash. before coming to San Bernardino County in 2002, has the experience and credentials needed to succeed in the field, McIntosh said.
Konopasek has worked as a local election official for about 10 years and also helped draft the Help America Vote Act of 2002, a federal law enacted to help states replace punch-card ballots and to establish various election standards.
Election consultants offer a variety of services from helping with voter registration drives to advice on recounts and even expert testimony in court.
It's a growing business with little competition.
"I suppose that's one reason why they are doing it,' said Tony Miller, a special projects director at the Secretary of State's Office.
As lawmakers tweak and create new elections laws, local officials are often left with questions and issues that can be addressed by an outside consultant.
Diane R. Gladwell of Lake Arrowhead went into the election consultant business after working as a city clerk for about six years. She is working with Nevada County officials now, helping them prepare for Election Day.
In an e-mail response to questions, Gladwell stated that it is less expensive for counties to hire an outside consultant than to have a flawed election, which can cost thousands in the long run.
But McIntosh said most counties are self-sufficient when it comes to running elections.
Some of his clients have been election equipment vendors and groups organizing voter registration drives.
"If you're going to be really relying on this business, you really need an anchor client,' he said. "A large project ... where you can rely on a certain minimum of work every month.'
Konopasek and Trout are barred by ordinance from consulting for San Bernardino County for one year after they leave.
Meanwhile, the county will begin searching for replacements for the two posts as soon as the upcoming election is certified.
Konopasek and Trout will oversee a Retirement Board election in December, but there are no elections planned immediately after the two are set to leave.
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