Election Transparency: Easily achieved
California version (rev. 031726)
(Sent certified mail with return receipt to all 58 county clerks/ROVs)
The following system is supported and recommended by prominent Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Election Transparency experts.
California’s Election Transparency System (California)
The people regardless of party affiliation demand earned trust, NOT mandated trust. This election transparency system is a non-partisan system of ensuring transparency in elections in full compliance with current California laws.
It is very inexpensive, and your constituents from all political affiliations demand it. County Clerks, ROVs and Election Supervisors have full authority, autonomously from the Secretary of State, to implement the following system.
The Transparency Protocol:
In addition, there is an election transparency website (ClearElection.net) that ranks the counties implementation of said system. This site has more details to assist in implementation as well as accountability and recognition.
There are scorecards on the site:
Red = Failed to implement or did NOT respond,
Yellow = Committed to Transparency but have yet to be implement,
Green = Fully implemented (Award name: The Shasta).
This system and processes are a first step. Although, ultimately, we would recommend using the protocols for complete election reform to be demonstrated at recommended sources to be found at clearelection.net
California still requires tabulators, but there are no restrictions on transparency. Therefore, we will use Shasta County’s proven template with a couple of minor additions as a basic guideline for transparency.
Warning: The following system does NOT prevent illegal ballot harvesting. Although, when implemented, it may expose additions of fraudulent ballots that could be used to support false electronic outputs.
The System
• When ballots enter the counting center, they will be processed depending on their status (standard or mail-in), and every step will be logged and signed off on.
• Chain of custody is paramount for every step in the process.
Mail-In Ballots:
Warning: Mail-In-Ballots are the number one concern regarding potential election fraud as nobody knows who filled out the ballots. This system will not fix this issue!
• A person will strip off the little tab on the top, which then exposes the signature. The ballots are then run through a machine that captures the signature and then simply groups them by container labeled “pockets 1-infinity” (some counties may not have this machine, and it is not necessary for this system).
The ballots are then moved into “transparent containers” waiting for signature verification.
The containers are sealed with tamper proof security seal on all four corners (i.e. numbered zip tie that must be cut to be removed) Nothing is allowed to move unless it has been sealed.
• If the signatures cannot be verified, they are moved into a separate transparent box waiting to be cured.
If visually cured and verified, they move forward in the system; if they didn’t pass, they are moved to another section to “die”, but will be preserved.
All ballots (including mail-in after signature verification)
• New Stage: Use high-resolution digital scanners separate from any electronic tabulation systems to capture and retain a permanent image of every ballot page.
All images are available for review after the polls are closed. One person can run between 1,000 to 1,500 ballots per hour. (images are retained for audit purposes only).
• After scanning the ballots, they are all batched into stacks of 50 and sealed in clear envelopes and marked with their unique batch number and perspective precinct.
They are then put into precinct-labeled transparent batch containers and sealed with tamper evident straps that must be destroyed to be removed.
This is to ensure you have the same precincts all the way through the process. These containers are locked up until ready to be tabulated.
Critical: Transparent tabulation (Three cameras and digital auto-setting clocks) with resolution down to a second.
Five Steps of A four-person team
• Ballot Banker - is responsible for pulling ballots out of the precinct box and handing the batches of 50 sealed ballots to “Flipper One” (the person pre-tabulator).
After processed through the tabulator and then resealed by “Flipper Two” the Ballot Banker will place them labeled by precinct into a sealed box or tamper evident bag, for final storage (i.e. Red Canvas Bag).
• Flipper One - pulls one of the sealed batches, removes the ballots and flips through them from front to back so both sides are visible (even if the back is blank).
Flipping through the ballots serves two purposes:
1) exposes the ballots to the camera above, and
2) loosens the pile, which is recommended before entering a tabulator.
• Operator - The ballots are then placed into the tabulator for vote counting. The tabulator generates a unique batch number assigned for tracking down to the batch.
• Flipper Two - takes the ballots post-tabulation and flips through them again under a separate camera to ensure nothing has changed.
This second exposure of ballots ensures that the ballot of record is authentic and traceable in case the machines change a vote (inadvertently or maliciously).
• Final Step - The Banker receives them from Flipper Two and will place them into a sealed box or tamper evident bag labeled by precinct (i.e. Red Canvas Bag) and places them into storage per county/state/federal regulations.
Needed per station: A TV, clock on top of the stations, three inexpensive (used) camera phones (high-resolution), and a makeshift stand to hold the camera phones. Total cost (all-in) per station is as low as $250.
• This whole process (every precinct ballot counted) is recorded and viewable live from a room on-site with a few screens and online.
Important
To view a video on the complete system A-Z, recommendations for scanners and cameras, set up illustration tutorial and the accountability scorecard go to: handcountroadshow.org/solution
To contact us directly with questions email: info@hermsforcali.com which is the main contact for the team of Lewis Herms, a non-partisan candidate for Governor and author of this letter/system.
Conclusion:
Our team will follow up to get the counties’ election office commitment to election transparency, then will place the results Green, Yellow or Red on the website for the public to view.
Our team wishes you only the best.
Regards,
Lewis Herms
Freedom In Action
California Gubernatorial Candidate 2026
© 2026 Herms for Cali All rights reserved.
