Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered ballots to be mailed to all of California’s 20.6 million registered voters, strongly encouraging them to participate in the November general election from home.
The move, the governor said, comes amid predictions from public health officials that it will still be unsafe by November for large numbers of voters to show up at polling places.
âThere’s a lot of anxiety and concern. We make sure we are reaching out to registered voters,â Newsom said at Friday’s press briefing, which was held at a local florist in Sacramento in acknowledgment of Mother’s Day and the partial reopening of many retail stores throughout the state.
The action will mark first time in state history that every registered voter will receive a ballot by mail. Newsom said a limited number of polling places will remain open â with strict new rules â to accommodate certain voters, including those with specific disabilities who may require direct assistance to cast their ballots.
During Friday’s briefing, Secretary of State Alex Padilla applauded the decision.
âItâs great for public health, itâs great for voting rights, itâs gonna be great for participation,â he said.
A growing number of California voters have cast their ballots by mail in recent election, including a record 72% in the March statewide primary. That rate, however, was much lower in a number of counties throughout the state.
â Matthew Green (@MGreenKQED)
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