Newsom signs order sending all registered Californians mail-in ballots
Voters asked to vote by mail in November due to virus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KYMA,KECY) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday, to send every California voter a mail-in ballot for the upcoming November presidential election.
This is the first time state history that every registered voter is mailed a ballot, and The Hill reports the executive order makes California the first state to commit to sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters.
The decision comes amid growing public health concerns regarding millions of Californians showing up showing up to vote this Fall.
“Elections and the right to vote are foundational to our democracy,” said Governor Newsom.
“No Californian should be forced to risk their health in order to exercise their right to vote. Mail-in ballots aren’t a perfect solution for every person, and I look forward to our public health experts and the Secretary of State’s and the Legislature’s continued partnership to create safer in-person opportunities for Californians who aren’t able to vote by mail.”
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom
Newsom on Friday also imposed strict new rules for anyone who votes in person.
The order requires partial in-person voting to be allowed. Particularly, in regards to disabled voters, those who require language interpretation and those who need assisted technology in order to cast a ballot.
Mail-in and remote voting was a major part of the March statewide primary, where 72% of all ballots were cast by mail — a record high, reports the LA Times.
However the LA Times also reports not all California counties are fully prepared to process mail-in voting of this scale.
In his order, Newsom said his administration will continue working with local officials to clarify any necessary requirements for voting, adding another executive order might be necessary if counties do not have “clarity for in-person voting opportunities” by May 30.
Furthermore, a sudden, temporary shift to all-mail voting could create new challenges in terms of county funding and plans.
