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SLO County clerk-recorder accused of violating Public Records Act

July 8, 2025

SLO County Clerk Recorder Elaina Cano

By KAREN VELIE

Update: Within days of Shiloh Marx filing his claim against the San Luis Obispo County, the county sent him a response that included the information requested.

“Marx’s original March 11 correspondence was not treated as a request under the California Public Records Act, as it did not request inspection or copies of identifiable records but instead posed a series of questions. Nonetheless, as a professional courtesy, my office compiled and provided the statistical data he was seeking.”

Original: A California man filed a lawsuit last month against San Luis Obispo County and Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano for allegedly violating the Public Records Act.

The lawsuit, filed by Shiloh Marx on June 24, accuses Cano of failing to respond to a March 11 records request or a followup request sent on June 17. Marx requested data on inactive voter registrations along with voting activity during federal elections.

Under both federal and California law, a voter’s registration is inactive when a registrant has failed to respond to a confirmation notice and the statutory waiting period has commenced but has not yet concluded.

If a registrant fails to respond to a confirmation notice, and then fails to vote (or contact the registrar) through the next two general federal elections, their voter registration is required by law to be cancelled.

Marx is an election integrity and transparency advocate. In his March 11 email to Cano, he notes potential National Voter Registration Act compliance issue and proposes collaborating on voter statistical data.

In the email, Marx questions why Cano removed only five voter registrations after 5,562 confirmation notices were returned as undeliverable in 2022, according to the email. The lawsuit argues Cano violated the Public Records Act by withholding public voting records.

“Cano’s failure to provide any of the requested voter registration statistics, with no response to the CPRA request dated March 11 or the follow-up clarification on June 17, and no justification provided …, denies Petitioner access to vital records, breaching California Government Code,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to affirm Cano’s violation and compel her to release the withheld voter data.

 


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5500 confirmation notices returned as undeliverable. Yes- “ clean up on isle 3, please!”

This is a national problem and possibly has been used in tight races to make changes that the party in power wants. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Let’s get back to results the same night as the election and no more slinking around for days and weeks. It’s a bad look , and totally unnecessary in honest elections.


11

Makes you wonder what other nefarious things have gone on regarding the elections. How long has she been County Clerk Recorder? We received 2 mail in voter forms per person! Did anyone else get more than one in the mail?


31

I know several who have received multiple ballots, funny that they all are registered for the same party


5

I’m so glad that this has finally come to the light. Most people in our county have no idea how much corruption is here. So glad that light is finally being shed here…No one is above the law.

No One!!


36

Honest Service Fraud should not be swept under the rug.


0

I wonder where Ms Cano will be working after the next election.


29

Wow! This is a surprise! ,:j)


7

Oh brother! I thought we had moved past this elections crap. Trump won and he even picked up votes in California, so can’t we stop tearing down the institution that separates us from the godless Chinese and Russians.


-56

I just opened another tab and googled Shiloh Marx. I see that he has an online link to support his work. He may need help and I am willing to donate to the cause. Glad to see that someone is willing to do the work! With previous election results in our area separated by just a handful of votes, this is very important.


I’m off to read up on Shiloh and determine if some of my money is heading hhis way.


27

ABOUT TIME!!!! She has been inept and corrupt since the first day she was handed this job.


45

She will never catch up with Trump and his cronies. Wont come close.


-51