Humboldt County election staff discover 596 uncounted ballots in locked drop box

9 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 6

The sealed ballots from California's November Proposition 50 special election were found Monday, and officials said they would not have changed the certified result.
County Clerk-Recorder Juan Pablo Cervantes said a worker failed to follow procedures, accepted responsibility and said staff are working with the California secretary of state on whether the ballots can legally be counted.
The county has introduced a new "lock out, tag out" protocol after the error, amid wider scrutiny of California elections and renewed fraud claims rejected by state officials.

After 596 ballots were misplaced, how can officials guarantee every single vote will count in future elections?

Amid rising local interference, who holds the ultimate authority to secure and protect ballots after they are cast?