Elaina Cano Pledges Continued Transparency and Professionalism as County Clerk-Recorder

By Bridget O’Connell

Calm, competent, and committed are three qualities that immediately come to mind when meeting Elaina Cano, the County Clerk-Recorder seeking re-election to the post she has held since 2021. She is on the ballot in the primary on June 2.

With more than three decades of experience in election administration and public-records management, Cano has remained steadfast in her commitment to conducting elections with transparency, integrity, and professionalism, while strengthening public confidence in the county’s democratic process.

Over this time, Cano, who began her public-service career working for San Luis Obispo Parks & Recreation in 1994, has helped oversee every type of county election — from municipal and special-district contests to recalls and countywide races.

A Record to Be Reckoned With

“She’s honest, competent, and fair,” said Tom Fulks, chairman of the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party (SLOCDP). 

In a rare move earlier this year, the party amended its bylaws to endorse Cano, a No-Party Preference candidate, recognizing her long record of non-partisan public service.

For her part, Cano said she is grateful for SLOCDP’s endorsement and appreciative that the Democratic organization was “brave enough to come forward, to see past party lines, to see past the party.”

In an interview with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce in early April, Cano emphasized the non-political nature of her role. 

“It’s grounded in law and guided by fairness, neutrality, and public trust. We are not policy makers. We are responsible for carrying out the law consistently and equitably for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, background, or beliefs,” she said.

Defending Honor, Integrity, and Professionalism

The long-time San Luis Obispo County resident faces two Republican challengers: Vanessa Rozo, an Oceano business owner and paralegal who has promoted election-denial claims, and Gaea Powell, a former Arroyo Grande mayoral candidate currently facing felony voter-fraud charges in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. 

“This year both of Elaina Cano’s opponents have called into question the integrity of her office and attempted to argue that election results in SLO County are somehow unreliable and cannot be trusted,” Fulks said.“This is a deliberate attempt to corrode the public’s faith in American democracy.”

Fulks stressed that Cano’s office has consistently run reliable elections. "The SLO County Democratic Party realized that if we don't come to the defense of how our elections are run in SLO County there'd be no other major organization to defend the honor, integrity, and honesty--of not just our County Clerk-Recorder--but also of her entire office staff and the very serious, difficult work they do on behalf of all voters in SLO County."

Building Community Trust Is a Must

And that work over the past four years has included improved access to public services, strengthened election security, and continuing to steadily build community trust—hallmarks of Cano’s leadership—and her campaign going into the upcoming primary.

Through her dedication and accessibility, Cano aims to maintain the integrity of the Clerk-Recorder’s office while ensuring every resident, including those who experience homelessness, has the resources to participate fully in the democratic process. 

Going forward, Cano said she plans to continue modernizing office systems, investing in staff training, and preserving San Luis Obispo’s historical records, some dating back to the 1800s. She also has set up kiosks in her office to grant access to public records.

Engaging the Community Is Key for Cano

Cano, who said she is “incredibly accessible and always out in public,” also prioritizes communication with residents through social media, open forums, and community presentations. 

What’s more, she’s focused on voter education, partnering with Cal Poly to reach first-time and young voters, providing information and facts, and other resources “that they can use to speak to any group.”

To serve the Spanish-speaking community, Cano employs bilingual staff and runs Spanish-language public service announcements encouraging greater voter participation among Latinos.

For Cano, her work as Clerk-Recorder has only just begun. Process aside, she said, it’s all about informing and empowering people in the community. She is passionate about ensuring every resident that their vote matters and that their voice is heard. “In this job you represent everybody,” she said.

Bridget O’Connell is a political-science student at Cal Poly and an intern with SLOCDP