San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Heather Ditty didn’t even get the chance to oversee her first election since stepping into the role in December.
Officials announced on Sunday that Ditty had passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning – just three days before polls were set to open for a primary that is expected to draw a below-average return but kick off the political season in advance of the 2022 midterm elections.
Assistant Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale was tapped to step into the role and facilitate Tuesday’s election, and former San Joaquin County Registrar Austin Erdman was brought back to help in that process and ensure that everything runs according to plan.
“Due to Heather’s leadership, experience, attention to detail, ability to address issues expeditiously, and total commitment to the residents of our county, we are confident that this Election Day will run smoothly and efficiently,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Chuck Winn said in a statement. “Even though Heather had been with our county family for only six months, she had a profound impact on her staff and our Elections Office.
“She truly cared about elections and dedicated her life to being a public servant.”
Mail ballots were already flowing in to the department’s office in Stockton when the news broke that Ditty had passed away – putting a spotlight on the operations of a department without a flashy reputation and that rarely draws headlines.
As California’s elections have gravitated towards a more mail-focused approach to allowing people to exercise their Constitutionally-protected right, the Registrar of Voters office has had to adjust to ensure the same level of election integrity that was seen when people still visited the polls in person to cast their ballots.
California is one of only eight states that allows all elections to be conducted by mail, and previous registrars in the county have spoken about the security measures that go into guaranteeing a free and fair election – including completed ballots that are received before election day that are locked and kept under video surveillance to ensure that they are not tampered with.
A man believed to be Ditty’s son posted on social media that his mother, Heather Ditty, had undergone open heart surgery and on June 2nd and was not doing well – requesting prayers from friends and family for her speedy recovery. She passed away two days later.
While Erdman, who served as the country’s registrar for almost a decade, retired from his job four years ago, he was tapped by the Board of Supervisors to serve in the role again in an interim capacity last year after the resignation of Melinda Dubroff. Erdman oversaw the county’s part of the wider statewide recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom – which he beat handily.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
