Elaina Cano has built her life around family, public service, and a deep commitment to her community. A devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, and proud grandmother of two granddaughters, she has spent nearly three decades serving the people of San Luis Obispo County alongside her husband, Marty. Together, they raised their three sons locally, all while dedicating their careers to public service.
Originally from Riverside, Elaina came to the Central Coast in 1992 when Marty earned a full-ride scholarship to play football at Cal Poly. They soon put down roots and started their family. Elaina began her public service career in 1994 with the City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department, and a few years later, in 1998, Marty joined the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department.
Elaina’s interest in public service began long before her professional career. She grew up admiring leaders who served their communities and believed strongly in the value of government that is accessible, fair, and principled. Her first direct experience with elections came when she worked in the City Clerk’s office during an election regarding the Dalidio Marketplace initiative. There, she watched community members advocate passionately on both sides, while she fulfilled her role in a strictly nonpartisan capacity. This experience reinforced the importance of understanding California’s Constitution, Elections Code, and Government Code, and it taught her what it means to carry out election duties impartially—even when the issues affect her personally as a resident.
That early experience set the foundation for a career that has spanned nearly two decades in election administration and public records management. Elaina has served as the City Clerk for both San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, led the Elections Division for Santa Barbara County, and now serves as the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder. Over the past 21 years, she has helped conduct every type of election held in the county—from municipal and special district contests to recalls and countywide elections—building extensive expertise in the complex laws and procedures that guide each one.
Elaina is committed to making the election process open and accessible. She regularly invites the community to observe ballot processing, ask questions, and learn about the many safeguards involved. Her ongoing goal is to conduct elections with complete transparency and integrity while strengthening confidence in SLO County’s democratic process.
Although the Clerk-Recorder’s Office is often associated primarily with elections, Elaina’s role extends far beyond voting. As County Clerk-Recorder, she oversees services that touch residents at some of the most significant moments of their lives—recording property documents, issuing marriage licenses, performing ceremonies, and safeguarding vital records. She approaches each of these responsibilities with professionalism, care, and respect for the public she serves.
Elaina and Marty live in the Village of Arroyo Grande, while their sons are building their lives in Long Beach, Midvale, Utah, and Arroyo Grande. Outside of her professional work, Elaina enjoys spending time with her growing family and caring for her dogs Lola, Luna and of course, Murphy, and now the newest addition to her life—her heart horse, Coast.
