California Voter Foundation

Hi Folks,

This edition of CVF-News provides an update on California's planning for November's 2020 Presidential election.

The basic plan that has developed is to mail everyone a ballot and give counties the option of consolidating polling places if they also provide three additional days of early voting and drop boxes. The first half of the plan - mailing everyone a ballot - was expressed in Gov. Gavin Newsom's May 8th Executive Order and would be codified by AB 860 if it is enacted into law.

Hi Folks,

Last Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order requiring counties to mail all registered voters a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3 Presidential Election. This CVF-News covers this important development and Future of California Elections' Virtual Conference happening on May 14th, which will include a panel on vote-by-mail that I'll be moderating. I hope you can sign up and participate!

And a big thank you to everyone who donated to CVF for last week's Giving Tuesday and Big Day of Giving! CVF had a very successful fundraising week and the Sacramento region raised $12 million for 600 nonprofits, exceeding the prior record by more than $3 million. These past few months have been challenging but also inspiring to see how supportive people are of the nonprofit sector in times of need. 

Hi Folks,

Big changes are being planned for elections in California and beyond due to the coronavirus pandemic and uncertaintly about whether voting in person can be safely conducted. This issue of CVF-News provides a roundup of news and developments. For a more in-depth perspective, listen to my interview with John Howard and Tim Foster featured in this week's Capitol Weekly podcast.

Like many nonprofits, CVF relies on donations to support our work. On May 7th, CVF will join in the Sacramento region's Big Day of Giving fundraising event and I hope we can count on you to support our work in this important election year. Please visit our BDOG page and pledge a donation today!

-- Kim Alexander, President & Founder, California Voter Foundation

1. Of California’s 25.3 million eligible voters, 20.7 million, or 82 percent are registered as of February 18. This is this highest rate of registration heading into a California presidential primary in the past 68 years, according to California’s Secretary of State Alex Padilla. California’s Presidential Primary, which was held in June in 2012 and 2016, is taking place this year on March 3, Super Tuesday, in an effort to give California voters a greater say in deciding who the presidential candidates will be. 

2. For the first time, Californians can register at any voting site and vote on Election Day. Under SB 72, enacted in 2019, Californians can conditionally register and cast a conditional ballot at polling places if they have never been registered. Another law enacted just last month, SB 207, allows Californians who are registered but have moved within their county or wish to update their party preference to complete and sign a short form and cast a regular ballot. These reforms help voters who need to change their party preference so they can vote for the Presidential candidate of their choice, but may result in long lines at some voting sites on Election Day.