OC Registrar Of Voters Neal Kelley Announces March Retirement

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — After serving at the helm of Orange County's election office for 16 years, OC Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley announced his plans to retire Tuesday. Kelley served as the Registrar or Voters since 2005 and is credited with leading the office through the largest cycle of elections since Orange County was founded in 1889, according to his website.

In the coming weeks, Orange County residents can expect to see a national recruitment for Kelley's successor, according to a statement released by Kelley. Kelley said he plans to assist in a smooth transition before he retires on March 11, 2022.

"It has been an honor serving with so many of you advocating on behalf of our industry, working to better election administration, and above all improving the experience for voters. This has been a journey with remarkable people and incredibly experiences that completely changed my life," Kelley wrote in his statement. "As for Orange County elections, I’m proud of our accomplishments and have faith that this office will continue to serve voters with dedication, passion and a shared vision for excellence."

Kelley leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and integrity within the Orange County voting office. He is a past recipient of the "Public Official of the Year" award by the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks. Kelley is also credited with changing the way Orange County residents vote by introducing OCVote as a part of the Voters Choice Act.

Kelley also provided reassurance and transparency to Orange County voters during the 2016 presidential election, where he promised the public that there was be no possible way for votes in Orange County to be "rigged" during the November elections.

"We take voting very seriously, and we protect the ballot," Kelley told City News Service in a previous interview.

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Aside from his work as the OC Registrar of Voters, Kelley is the proud father of a Navy veteran and a 26-year-old daughter.

In a July interview posted by the California State Association of Counties, Kelley reflected on the detail-oriented nature of his position and the commitment to his work.

"I am not afraid to admit that I am obsessed with our operations and believe in watching every detail. Walt Disney was quoted as saying, 'There’s no magic in magic. It’s all in the details.' In my opinion, elections require extreme attention to detail, and my motivation centers on continual improvement," Kelley said in the interview. "I wake up early every morning and think about the day before, asking myself, 'How can we make today better than yesterday?'"