Make sure eligible voters can vote
Re: Reuters’ April 26 story, “Trump’s claims of voter fraud sow distrust”:
It is a sad state of affairs when trust in our elections has reached such a low. As reported by Layne and Lange, polling indicates that this is currently the case and they posit that this is the result of years of purposeful efforts to decrease trust in elections.
What is the reasoning behind pushing forth misinformation about our elections? Multiple studies and court cases have been conducted, and no evidence of widespread voter fraud has been found. Could it be that those pushing these claims actually want to suppress the vote? To choose who the voters are?
While a push for voter ID at the polls may seem reasonable, in fact many Californians do not have the government-issued ID that will be required if the Voter ID Constitutional Amendment which will be voted on in November passes. In fact, in California, per a study done by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, 35% of 18–24-year-olds, 19% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders, 18% of Blacks, 14% of Hispanic and 22% of those with disabilities do not have government-issued IDs compared with only 3% of White Californians.
In Texas, after new voter ID requirements for mail ballots were implemented in 2022, more than 24,000 ballots were rejected in a single primary, meaning that 1 in 8 voters who had always voted by mail suddenly had their ballots thrown out.
How many eligible Californian voters would be purged from the rolls if this measure passes? Let’s examine the actual evidence to the claims being made resulting in lowered trust in our elections. Where do those claims come from and who stands to benefit if citizens don’t trust our elections? Let’s make sure all eligible voters can vote.
Kathy Morgan, Ventura
Tan for Treasurer-Tax Collector
As the elected Treasurer-Tax Collector of Ventura County, I know that experience matters, credentials matter and integrity matters for this job. That is why I am endorsing Marilou Tan for Treasurer-Tax Collector because she is supremely qualified.
Marilou Tan has the experience. She has served in our agency for 11 years in senior management positions. She currently serves as the Assistant Treasurer-Tax Collector, the Chief Operating Officer for the agency. She has managed all operations of the Treasurer-Tax Collector office.
Marilou Tan has impeccable credentials. She is a CPA and worked in the private sector as a CPA for many years before joining the Treasurer-Tax Collector. She has a master’s of public administration degree. She has earned many investment certifications.
Marilou Tan operates with the highest integrity, is honorable and trustworthy.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector has a fiduciary duty to protect the public’s money. The Treasurer-Tax Collector manages the county’s cash position and is the steward of all of the public’s money that flows through the county. The agency collects $2.2 billion in property and other taxes. The agency operates as the county’s “bank” and manages the $15 billion that flows annually through the treasury for the benefit of the county, schools, colleges and other agencies. The agency manages the $5 billion investment pool with the stated goals of ensuring safety of principal, providing necessary liquidity and earning a competitive yield through all economic cycles.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector is a professional position; it is not a political position. Marilou Tan has the experience, credentials and integrity to manage the public’s money and perform this critical job.
Vote for Marilou Tan for Treasurer-Tax Collector. She is the real deal.
Sue Horgan, Ojai
An endorsement for Orozco
Soon Ventura County District 2 residents will vote on who they think will make the best Ventura County Supervisor for their community. In addition to the incumbent, two other candidates are running.
I met with Ashley Orozco earlier this year and found her to have a very good understanding of the concerns and needs of Oak Park. Not only was she well-prepared, but she also asked relevant questions about the community, and my concerns and genuinely listened.
As for the other new candidate, Mark Perryman, I got to know him in 2023 during his brief role as Supervisor Gorell’s Chief of Staff. Additionally, I met with him in November last year to try and understand what he brings to the table, making him qualified for the county supervisor position, especially for Oak Park. Based on my experiences with Mr. Perryman, coupled with his background as a professional consultant, I believe he is the least qualified of the three candidates.
We need someone with practical experience and skills who can address the budget issues facing the community. Creating a new government, a Community Services District, which Mark Perryman has proposed, is not a viable solution and certainly will not solve slow revenue growth (e.g., property taxes) and the rising cost of critical basic services (e.g., utilities, landscaping, crossing guards, etc.). We don’t need to recreate the wheel, and we don’t need a professional consultant nor project manager who does not listen nor collaborate well with others, both critical core competencies of a leader.
Between these two candidates, I have endorsed Ashley Orozco. My personal endorsement does not represent the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council nor the county of Ventura.
Michelle Santucci, Oak Park
Proud to support Perryman
I met Mark Perryman the way many parents do — on the sidelines of a T-ball field. Our sons were on the same team, and like any parent knows, getting a young kid to focus on the game instead of blowing dandelions takes real patience. Mark had it. Week after week, I watched him encourage his son with calm, positivity, and a steady presence that stood out.
At the same time, he often had his newborn son in his arms, balancing fatherhood in a way that was both impressive and genuine. It told me a lot about who he is — not just as a dad, but as a person.
What I didn’t expect was how deeply committed he is to our community. When residents raised concerns about longstanding issues with the park district and County Service Area in Oak Park, Mark didn’t brush them aside. He dug in, learned the systems, and identified real solutions to give residents a stronger voice and better governance.
His connection to Oak Park is personal. His family lived here until a serious issue with their rental home impacted their children’s health — yet they remained committed, keeping their kids in local schools. Today, he’s the only candidate with children actively in our public school system, including Oak Park.
Mark brings the leadership we need — grounded in real life, backed by Fortune 100 experience, and focused on improving our community. It’s clear change is needed, and we need someone who understands the problems and how to fix them.
That’s why I’m proud to support Mark Perryman for Ventura County Supervisor.
Josh Model, Oak Park
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Voter suppression, endorsements for local candidates | Letters
Reporting by Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
