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Answering Questions About Vote-By-Mail In California Amid COVID-19, Attacks By Trump

Excerpts:

Voting by mail isn’t new in California. It’s been allowed for anyone who’s registered, and for any reason, since 1979, according to the California Voter Foundation.

But with fears that casting a ballot in-person could be risky this fall amid COVID-19, plus President Donald Trump’s misleading claims that mail-in voting “will lead to massive fraud and abuse,” there’s a spotlight on this decades-old practice.

Gov. Newsom's Vote-by-Mail Executive Order, FOCE 5/14 Virtual Conference

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!

3 things to know about Newsom's mail-in ballot executive order

Excerpts:

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new executive order Friday requiring all counties to provide mail-in ballots to California's 20.6 million registered voters due to concerns about the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"[We want] to make sure we are reaching out to all registered and eligible voters and giving them the opportunity and the choice so they don't have to feel like they have to go into a concentrated, dense environment, where their health may be at risk," Newsom said.

California voters asked to vote by mail in November due to coronavirus fears

Excerpts:

Citing public health concerns over millions of Californians showing up at voting locations this fall, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered ballots to be mailed to the state’s 20.6 million voters for the November election while insisting there will need to also be new rules for anyone who participates in person.

Please donate to CVF and help keep voting safe and secure

If there’s one thing we have learned during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s the critical role government plays in times of crisis.

And who does the government answer to? Voters.

Now more than ever we must ensure voters can securely vote with confidence.

Millions skipped California’s 2020 primary. Will coronavirus change who votes in November?

Excerpts:

SACRAMENTO — California’s 2020 presidential primary officially entered the history books Friday, as state officials certified a final tally and a rate of voter turnout that, while one of the highest in recent elections, still saw fewer than half of the state’s registered voters cast a ballot.

Not if, but how: California prepares for an all vote-by-mail election in November

Excerpt:

This coming November, every one of California’s more than 20 million registered voters may receive a ballot in the mail — whether they ask for one or not. In fact, many election administrators and advocates say it’s inevitable.

“It’s not a question of ‘if,’ said Kim Alexander, the president of the California Voter Foundation. “But ‘how.’”

CVF-News Roundup: Planning for California's November Presidential Election

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.

Capitol Weekly Podcast: Kim Alexander on Voting by Mail

Following the harrowing scenes of voters braving long lines and exposure to the coronavirus during Wisconsin’s primary election last week, there is a renewed discussion of the importance of vote-by-mail options.

One upside of the coronavirus shutdown, maybe? Fewer voter initiatives

Excerpt:

Initiative proponents have until the end of April to collect the signatures they need to put their ideas on the ballot — and with millions of Californians staying home, some campaigns won't have time to collect enough signatures.

California voters may experience a small silver lining amid the coronavirus pandemic: a shorter November ballot, featuring fewer of the statewide propositions that often put voters in the middle of confusing industry fights.

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