With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
After Fire, Los Angeles County Will Empty Ballot Drop Boxes Every Day
Voting at a ballot box in Highland Park, Los Angeles. October 17, 2020. Al Kamalizad for LAist
()
After a fire in a Baldwin Park ballot drop box, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder says election workers will empty boxes more often — increasing pickups from every 48 hours to every day.
The fire occurred on Sunday night, damaging an unknown number of ballots. L.A. County Fire officials say the incident is being investigated as a possible arson.
“Regardless of the motive of the incident. I know these scenarios might deter people from voting,” said L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis. “But I want to urge you not to let that be the end result.”
Solis also praised George Silva, a local small business owner and witness to the fire who was out for a bike ride when he saw smoke coming from the ballot box. He filmed firefighters cutting it open with a power saw and pulling out charred, water-soaked ballots.
Support for LAist comes from
On Tuesday morning, the Baldwin Park Police Department turned over 230 “pieces of material” to the county, said Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan. “That doesn’t necessarily equate to 230 ballots … we need to go through those individually,” Logan said. That examination should conclude later today, he added.
“In most cases we are able to at least make out the voter information that is printed on the envelope,” Logan said. “So that will give us the ability to contact the voter, which is our priority at this point.”
Before the fire, election workers last picked up ballots from the Baldwin Park location on Saturday morning just after 10 a.m. If you dropped your ballot in the box outside the Baldwin Park library near Ramona Blvd. and Baldwin Park Blvd. after Saturday morning, you should call the L.A. County Registrar’s office at 562-503-2445, or email vbmdropoff@rrcc.lacounty.gov.
We have a map of drop box locations on our Voter Game Plan page. And there’s also a map of voting centers where you can drop off your ballot starting on Oct. 24.
READ MORE ABOUT THE BALLOT BOX FIRE:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.
Best of LAist