Executive Order Expands Early Voting for the November General Election

On Wednesday, June 3,  2020, Governor Newsom signed an executive order (found here) modifying rules for in-person voting in the upcoming election to ensure that Californians can continue to exercise their right to vote in a secure and accessible manner.

Last month, with ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Governor signed an executive order (found here) to send every active registered California voter a Vote by Mail ballot, while ensuring in-person voting options for those that may need access to it. “The most convenient way to cast your vote is from home. It is also the preferred method of voting within Yolo County during this pandemic.” says Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters.

Vote by Mail voting has been on an upward trend in Yolo County. In June 2012, 47.3% of Yolo County registered voters cast their ballot by mail. Now, 72.2% of Yolo County voters prefer to Vote by Mail (as of March 2020).

The executive order signed this week ensures in-person voting opportunities are available in sufficient numbers to maintain physical distancing. It allows for counties to consolidate voting locations, requiring one voting location per 10,000 registered voters. Currently, Yolo County has 119,289 registered voters, which equates to approximately 12 locations. Additionally, counties are required to provide three days of in-person early voting starting the Saturday before Election Day and ballot drop-box locations must be available between October 6 and November 3.

“My office continues to work with leadership groups within the county and local jurisdictions to prepare for the upcoming election. We plan to secure optimal in-person voting locations and ample ballot drop-off locations to make returning Vote by Mail ballots as effortless as possible. Similar to the March 2020 Primary Election, return postage will be paid, so no stamp will be required to mail back your Vote by Mail ballot,” says Salinas.

 We encourage Yolo County residents to connect with Yolo County ACE – Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections on Facebook: @YoloACE, Instagram: @YoloCoACE, and Twitter: @YoloCoACE to receive the most up to date information about the upcoming election and live election night results.

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