Nevada Press Conference Election Count Update Transcript November 5

Joseph Gloria: (00:00)
Thank you. Good morning, everybody. Thank you for being here this morning. I want to start off by making a request please. Parking is very limited in this facility, and obviously we’re very concentrated on trying to make sure staff can get in and out of here safely and continue to count ballots. So keep in mind that we’re going to be adding security at all of our entrances, and they’ll only be granting access to those who are approved members of the media, members of my staff, and those individuals who have business with the election department. So please keep that in mind.

The purpose of being here this morning is to give some clarification on exactly what the work is that’s being done here in Clark County to get the votes counted accurately. I have counts now on what we received from the election day drop-offs, the US Postal Service on election day and yesterday, and also some additional ballots that we had pending because we had to stop processing to begin getting ready for election day support.

So on election day at the drop-off locations at all vote centers on the election department, there were 34,743 ballots dropped off. The US Postal Service, as of election day and yesterday, brought to us 4,208 ballots. And there were 24,311 ballots that were pending when we stopped processing to get ready for election day. So that brings us to a total of 63,262. Today, staff is preparing to count and has already begun counting a little over 51,000 ballots that will be reported tomorrow prior to my 10:00 AM brief. It’s important that everybody understand that there are also additional ballots that are pending outside of what I just described, so I’m briefly going to go through those.

The provisional ballots that were cast during the early voting on election day, the first announcement that I need to make is that the posting that was placed on our website on election night and yesterday was incorrect. We determined that our tabulation software was incorrectly duplicating those records. And so the 120,000 that you may have seen on our website is an incorrect number. That has been corrected, and the post that is out on our website now at www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote is correct. And those provisional ballots number a little over 60,000. We have to coordinate very closely with the secretary of state. We are a bottom up, not a top down voter registration jurisdiction. And so all 17 counties need to send information to the secretary because there’s not one single database that we all draw from. We all have our own. And so in coordinating with the …

(silence).

… ballots are also separate from what I previously reported. The cure process in Nevada, which is statutorily required for those voters who have been notified that they either did not sign their ballot or their signature did not match in our system, they have until Thursday, November 12th, to cure that ballot. The last day that we can tabulate and send ballots into the system is November 12th. So that night, we will stay here until we are done entering ballots into the system because statute clearly tells us that we must be done counting by that date.

With that information, we’ll hope that I’ve clarified a lot of the questions. We are anticipating to have the bulk of our mail ballot that have been received into the system by Saturday or Sunday. Those ballots that are coming in through the US mail or that are being cured would be a small number. And we will continue to put those in. But the bulk of our ballots we’re hoping will be read by Saturday or Sunday this weekend. And again, we won’t complete until November 12th with all of those other ballots that serve as exceptions. So with that information, I’ve got a short period of time here where I can answer some questions from you. Go ahead.

Speaker 2: (05:44)
I was just wondering, the [inaudible 00:05:44] is alleging the counting of improper votes here in Clark County. What is your response to that?

My response is that we are not aware of any improper ballots that are being processed.

Speaker 2: (06:02)
[inaudible 00:06:04].

Not directly that I’m aware of.

Speaker 2: (06:06)
And there’s also some concern that Clark County [inaudible 00:06:15].

I think it’s important for the entire country to understand that mail ballots on this scale is very new to the state of Nevada. We made a decision here to provide as much access as we possibly could as a result of the pandemic. And so our process has run a little bit slower. We also have to make sure that our data is being updated because we need to prevent people from voting twice in the system. And so we have to scan those in as mail received so that it updates the database so our in-person voters can’t have voted twice. We’re still receiving information from our election day laptops, that’ll be complete today. So we’re going to update and make sure that all of the information was downloaded from all 1300 of those laptops that were used on election day to make sure that the automated system will reject mail ballots for somebody who has voted on election day.

So our goal here in Clark County is not to count fast. We want to make sure that we’re being accurate. The results in the state of Nevada obviously are going to be very important to the entire country. And that is our number one goal.

Speaker 3: (07:22)
What’s the outstanding number, one more time? The outstanding number?

I just went through the whole thing.

Speaker 3: (07:29)
What’s the total? What is the total?

Well, I went through a long process. How about we get together after this?

Speaker 3: (07:35)
Why is it taking so long if you can count 70,000 a day?

I think I just answered that question.

Speaker 3: (07:40)
You said deliberately. But if you have the capacity, why aren’t you doing it?

Because they’re not available, sir. There are many steps in the process. So the first process is that we run it through our Agilis machine, then there are two manual processes, then it goes to the counting board, and then it goes to tabulation.

Speaker 4: (07:56)

I need you to speak up, sir. I can’t hear your question.

Speaker 4: (08:00)

I did not say they were already counted. I said today the staff is prepared to count 51,000 ballots that are ready to be counted today. Those will be reported tomorrow at 10:00 AM. Right there next to you. Folks, I really need you all to speak up. I cannot hear you.

Speaker 5: (08:30)

Those are separate. And that’s why I listed in my statement that those are separate from the numbers that are reported first.

Speaker 5: (08:46)

I don’t have that number with me,

Speaker 6: (08:50)
Mr. Gloria, to summarize and help us all, how many ballots are left to count?

That’s a number that I can’t give you. I can’t predict to you what’s going to come through the US mail. So I deliberately went through all of these numbers and I was hoping that you all would take the information that I’m providing. But there’s a set number of ballots that we know are available to be processed. And that’s the 63,000. Then I mentioned all of the other additional ballots. So again, we plan to be able to have counted the majority of our mail ballots by Saturday or Sunday. And then all of those other ballots that were statutorily limited, I can’t count all the mail ballots until I have them. And we have to continue to accept them up until Tuesday, November 10th.

Speaker 6: (09:42)
To repeat the numbers so that we were clear, it was 63,262, correct?

That is correct.

Speaker 6: (09:48)
Thank you.

Speaker 7: (10:03)

I personally dealt with Ms. Stoke. She brought her claim to me, we reviewed the ballot, and in our opinion, it’s her signature. We also gave her an opportunity to provide a statement if she wanted to object to that and provide a challenge to that. She refused to do so. A member of the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office investigation team also interviewed her and they had no issue with the assistance that we tried to give her.

Speaker 7: (10:36)
Do you think she’s lying?

I have nothing else to comment on that. Next question.

Speaker 8: (10:40)
[inaudible 00:10:46]. Are you concerned with your own safety or the safety of your staff? [inaudible 00:10:54].

I can tell you that my wife and my mother are very concerned for me, but we have security here. We have law enforcement who are protecting us. I am concerned for the safety of my staff. We’re putting measures into place to make sure that we have the security that’s necessary. Again, we’re going to begin to monitor the vehicles as they come in to make sure that they should be here and that they’re parking properly so that we don’t prevent our employees from having an issue getting in and out of the facility. But I feel safe, we’re going to be okay. We’re going to continue to count. We will not allow anyone to stop us from doing what our duty is in counting ballots. Yes, right there.

Speaker 9: (11:40)
What would you say to those who are [inaudible 00:11:40] that the state changed the rules when they decided to mail ballots to every registered elector of Nevada, that that was a violation of the old rules [inaudible 00:11:56]?

The first part of your question relates to action that was taken by the Nevada legislature. I don’t make policy, I’m simply an administrator. So the Nevada legislature acted in the summer and we carried through that exactly what they prescribed for us to do. As far as your second issue, that issue’s been litigated. And the judge ruled in our favor. Louder, please.

Speaker 10: (12:23)

Those are reports that we’re going to generate after the election once we start getting ready to do our canvas. So that’s information that I’ll have available once we’ve done all of our work, counted all the ballots. And if we have enough proof, we will definitely going out to arrest these people because those are obviously illegal actions. But that’s an activity that needs to take place once we’ve done counting and getting the canvas done.

Speaker 10: (12:50)

Most of these voters have been notified and they actually voted because they voted provisionally and were told they didn’t have the ID that they needed in order to do that. These are also mail ballot voters who were also notified that they needed to provide an ID on the envelope that sent out to them and they failed to do so. So they’ve been notified and the deadline is tomorrow at 5:00 PM. I know that there are several people who are working to actively reach out to those voters and try to help them get in with that ID. There was a question over here. Yes. Right there.

Speaker 11: (13:29)

Well, it depends on the status of our mail ballot process. We are running shifts in certain areas. So we work anytime varying from 5:00 AM up to 10:00 or 11:00 at night. We don’t run the 24 hour shifts that you see running in other states because the work that comes through on the mail ballot process is very deliberate as it moves forward. And so we complete the work that’s done in each stage. And then the next day, it carries forward to the next. Again, I emphasize what I’m trying to report here is that Clark County looks like we’ll be able to count the majority of our mail ballots by Saturday or Sunday. However, there are other ballots, as a result of statutory requirements, that we’ll have to continue to read. Because we have to take ballots until next Tuesday.

Speaker 6: (14:28)
Mr. Gloria, will you continue to have these briefings on Saturday and Sunday?

Absolutely. I will be here at 10:00 AM until we’re done.

Speaker 2: (14:36)
Mr. Gloria, do you expect to announce anything all today, Thursday? Or is the 14,000 it?

We’re going to coincide with the Secretary of State. I think it’s very important that, as a state, all 17 of the counties are working to coordinate with the Secretary, who is our chief election officer. So she has reported that she put out today at 9:00 and we followed suit and we reported today. If the secretary makes a decision not to report from here on out, we are going to have to report. So if we have results to report, we will do it on a daily basis, as I mentioned. We’re going to do a 10:00 AM brief to give you all an opportunity to ask questions. And our updates should be posted prior to that brief. Right there.

Speaker 12: (15:25)

Any individual who had an issue with their mail ballot should’ve contacted us prior to election day. We are here to help the voter. I have been on many Zoom interviews, many media interviews, many organizational groups throughout the county, letting them know that if you have an issue with your ballot, whatever it may be, call 455-VOTE. However, they’re past that process. The election is over. We’re in the process of counting at this point. Right there.

Speaker 13: (15:55)

You know, that’s available on our website. I don’t have that number right off the top of my head, but you can quickly see that on our website in our ENR report. Right there.

Speaker 14: (16:05)

I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t hear you. I’m hard of hearing and we’re in a warehouse.

Speaker 14: (16:14)

Regardless of any reports that you’re referring to, the numbers that I just gave you are the ones you should go with. Don’t try to calculate it for yourself. I just told you that there are 63,262, and then there are exceptions. So I can’t answer any of your questions because you’re drawing from data that I didn’t calculate.

Speaker 14: (16:51)
I’m drawing from data from the Secretary of State.

Yeah, but that’s not what I used to generate. I purposely set up this interview so that we could make sure and clear this up. You’re drawing your data from somebody somewhere else. And you want me to answer according to that number. I can’t. That’s why I gave you this information. Next question. Right there.

Speaker 15: (17:05)
[inaudible 00:17:12]. In your expert opinion, how unlikely is it that a single ballot that should not have been counted has been counted? What’s the likelihood?

I can’t give you a probability on that. What I can tell you is that we’re firm in our commitment to making sure that we’re processing ballots with high integrity in the state of Nevada. A lot of that depends on anybody who’s aware of something they feel that may have been nefarious. They need to notify our office and we’ll get the Nevada Secretary of State involved with investigating that. But we’re doing everything we can to uphold the integrity of the process here in Clark County.

Speaker 16: (17:48)
Should voters here in Nevada and all across the country have confidence in the way you’re counting and the votes?

Absolutely. We’re very committed here, and we have a strong history in Clark County of leading in our processes and the use of technology and working to keep things high in integrity with everything I do and we do as a team. Credit to my staff for their commitment as well and the hours they’ve worked. But what I really want to also hit home on, and this is for election administrators across the country, I’m sure they agree with me. We’re not concerned with reading as fast as we can. We are concerned with making sure that we’re accurate in what we report because this is a very important election in the state of Nevada. It may make the decision for the president. So we take that very seriously and we will make sure that we’re doing everything properly.

Speaker 6: (18:37)
Joe, using your numbers and everybody’s watching and wants to be clear, 63,262? And you expect to count 51,000 today. That means most should be counted by tomorrow.

That’s not what I said. I’ve said it many times. Clark County is looking like we will complete the bulk of our mail ballot count by Saturday and Sunday. After that, there are several exceptions that’s related to statute. I can’t know what I’m going to receive in the mail next Sunday, Monday, or not Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I’m statutorily required to count those ballots if they’re postmarked by the third. We have provisional ballots that are going to go in. All of the exceptions that I mentioned, those are ballots that will be counted. Anybody that was eligible and they casted a ballot and provided us anything they needed to provide, their ballot will be counted by November 12th.

Speaker 17: (19:30)

I don’t have observers. It’s the general public that comes in and observes. I don’t add observers.

Speaker 14: (19:40)

You need to speak up, ma’am.

Speaker 14: (19:47)

Absolutely not. We’ve been working close with all parties who have been interested in observing our activities. In fact, we’ve gone above and beyond what the statute calls for us to do. The only thing Clark County needs to do required by law is to provide access to anyone who wants to observe us counting. We realized with the engagement by the general public in this election that they were going to be concerned and probably want to see more. So we, as a courtesy, provided more observation opportunities in other rooms.

Now, these groups have also been contacted on a regular basis and they continue to say that we’re not communicating with them. We started communicating with them in the month of August and September. And we made clear to them exactly what we would do. We set up a schedule to count, and it’s a worst case scenario because we want to make sure that we’ve got all of our bases covered and that we’re going to have staff available to complete each task, each step every day. Obviously, my staff is getting better at what they do because they’ve been doing it for over 20 days now. So if we finish before our scheduled time and there’s no more work, they’re done. And so we have notified observers who come up there’s nothing to observe. And we’ve even gone so far as to tour them and take them to see the area to confirm that there’s nothing going on.

Unfortunately, there are some observers that come through that take it upon themselves to go into areas that they’re not allowed to view, interact with our workers, which they’re not allowed to do. We clearly communicate to them exactly what they can and can’t do with observers. So no, we have done everything we possibly can in Clark County to allow observers to participate.

Speaker 3: (21:40)
Sir, a point of clarification. The ballots-

One more question. We’re going to take one.

Speaker 3: (21:46)
The ballots today were same day, mail, or both. The ballots reported today. Were the ballots reported today same day, mail ballots, or both?

What do you mean by same day?

Speaker 3: (21:57)
Voting. Same day voting.

You mean registration?

Speaker 3: (22:00)
Voting in person.

All of the in-person votes are in the system.

Speaker 3: (22:04)
Okay, so ballots reported today were drop off, vote by mail ballots. Is that correct?

Some of them. They’re grouped in different areas. I can’t tell you exactly which ballots went in and got counted.

Speaker 3: (22:16)
How come you’re not able to say that as the registrar?

Well, I would have to go look at the batches and see where they came from. What I’m telling you is exactly what we know we have left. This could be a combination of drop-off ballots, things that were left in the mail. That’s all we really have left at this point.

Speaker 3: (22:30)
But today was not in-person voting? Reporting today was not in-person voting?

Again, in-person voting was reported on election night. That would have been early voting and election day. All of the in-person votes are in the system.

Speaker 3: (22:41)
Understood. Thank you, sir.

Thank you very much. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.

Speaker 3: (22:46)
Thank you. Hold on. I’ll be back. Okay, so-

Nevada Press Conference Election Count Update Transcript November 5

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