Los Angeles County began mailing vote-by-mail ballots Thursday for the Nov. 4 statewide special election, which includes a redistricting measure backed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Proposition 50 would redraw California’s congressional districts in an effort to counter a similar effort in Texas, which Newsom has framed as an attempt to gerrymander the state and expand Republican control in Congress. A recent Emerson College and Nextdoor Media Wire poll found the proposal has majority support among surveyed voters.
All registered voters in Los Angeles County will receive a ballot in the mail. Voters can track their ballot throughout the process using “Where’s My Ballot?”, a free tool that provides automatic updates via text, email or voicemail.
Ballots can be returned by mail, through one of more than 400 secure drop boxes across the county, or in person at any Vote Center beginning Oct. 25. Election officials recommend mailing ballots at least seven days before Election Day to ensure they are received and counted.
Voters are urged to carefully follow instructions, including signing and dating the return envelope to avoid disqualification.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk provides election materials in 18 languages. Voters can request translated materials by completing the language request form on the back of their Sample Ballot Book or by calling 800-815-2666, option 3. Spanish-speaking voters may call 213-358-2701 for direct assistance.
More information, including ballot tracking, drop box locations and multilingual services, is available at lavote.gov.
Beyond Los Angeles County, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is urging all registered voters to have their ballots submitted as quickly as possible to ensure a fair and proper count.
“In many parts of California, recent changes in the U.S. Postal mail service mean that your ballot may not be counted if you drop it off at a post office on Election Day. If you choose to drop off your ballot at a post office on Election Day, ask at the counter for a postmark to ensure you get credit for mailing your ballot on time,” Bonta said. “Our election laws provide the backbone for a free and fair election, and as California’s top law enforcement officer, I will do everything in my power to protect your right to vote.”
Bonta encouraged those who are concerned about their mail-in ballots not being counted in time on Election Day to make use of the other drop-off options available throughout the state.
Each California county has until Oct. 6 to begin mailing ballots.