News Summary
California’s mail-in ballot system is under scrutiny as Representative Darrell Issa initiates a lawsuit against Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The lawsuit questions the state’s current rule allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if received up to a week late. The League of Women Voters warns that changing this rule could disenfranchise many voters, emphasizing the importance of this policy for voter access. As the May 2024 elections approach, the outcome of this case could have wider implications for mail-in voting nationally.
California is currently facing a significant legal challenge regarding its mail-in ballot policy, as Representative Darrell Issa has filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. Issa’s lawsuit aims to contest the state’s rule that allows mail-in ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received up to seven days after. He claims this policy violates federal election laws and seeks to mandate that voters mail their ballots well in advance of Election Day to ensure their inclusion in the final count.
The League of Women Voters of California has entered the legal fray, asserting that a change in the mail-in ballot deadline could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters. This advocacy group emphasizes that the current policy is crucial for maintaining voter access and engagement. According to their data, 99.88% of mail-in ballots are received by the seven-day post-Election Day deadline, underscoring the importance of allowing sufficient time for ballots to be counted.
In the last election in Shasta County, over 80% of voters cast their ballots by mail, with a remarkable 97.7% of these ballots arriving within three days. This statistic highlights the reliance on mail-in voting among local residents and the potential impact of any changes to existing policies. The League of Women Voters argues that Issa’s lawsuit could undermine its effort to empower voters and increase participation in the electoral process. They contend that the lawsuit arguably admits a desire to disenfranchise voters who may not support Issa in future elections.
The provision allowing for the seven-day window for mail-in ballots was established by the California legislature in 2021, following a temporary extension during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate public health safety measures. The upcoming 2024 Presidential General Election in Shasta County is scheduled for November 5, 2024. In this election, voters will address various local races and measures, including city council and school board elections, alongside propositions related to education and fire protection services.
Voter registration is available online, through the mail, or in person, with the deadline to register set for October 21, 2024. For the upcoming election, ballots will be mailed starting on October 7, 2024, and ballot drop-off locations will open on October 8. To ensure their votes are counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and must be received by November 12, 2024. In-person voting will occur on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters also have the option to track their mail-in ballots and request replacements through designated channels. However, recent reports have highlighted concerns regarding ballot scanning in Shasta County, indicating potential issues affecting the accurate counting of votes. This development raises additional questions about the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process as citizens prepare to participate in the May 2024 elections.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this lawsuit could reach far beyond California, influencing the broader national conversation regarding mail-in voting and election integrity. The resolution of this case could either reaffirm the current practices or instigate significant changes that could reshape how elections are conducted in the state moving forward.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Redding: How to Register to Vote in California
- LA Times: Shasta County Faces Another Pivotal Election
- Action News Now: Shasta County Releases New Election Results
- Wikipedia: Voting in California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
