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Wearing a bright red pixie cut and a Carhartt flanel, Diane Fridley, 71, worked to verify votes this week at a computer in the registrar’s office in Lakeport, scrolling her mouse across the screen to identify any issues with ballots.

For more than 40 years, Fridley was the Lake County registrar.

But in between babysitting her grandchildren, Fridley comes in to help around election season.

Fridley and Valadez exchanged a knowing look.

“There’s a deadline for a reason,” Fridley said, echoing Valadez.