Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Early Turnout In Orange County Is Well Ahead Of 2016, and LA Tops 2 Million Votes Cast
The Orange County Registrar-Recorder held a mock election previewing new vote centers and ballot marking equipment at county offices in Santa Ana on Jan. 7, 2020. Libby Denkmann for LAist
()
With COVID-19 forcing an expansion of vote-by-mail across the state, and heightened political awareness following a summer of social justice protests, Southern California election officials are reporting gangbuster early voting so far for the presidential election.
In Orange County, 767,299 ballots had been returned as of Wednesday night, representing roughly 45% of active registered voters. The returns are about 20% ahead of the same time period in 2016, according to Orange County Registrar Neal Kelley.
Earlier this week, two wildfires in the northeastern part of the county forced the closure of some “pop-up” in-person voting sites and ballot drop-boxes in Santa Ana, Irvine and Yorba Linda. Early voting was available throughout at the Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana, and all Orange County vote centers are slated to open on Friday.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County has cracked two million votes cast for the Nov. 3 election, with several days of voting still to go. That's nearly two-thirds the number of L.A. County votes cast in 2016.
Support for LAist comes from
#LACounty voters are weighing in -- 1,990,521 vote by mail ballots cast and 121,378 early, in-person votes cast puts us over the 2 million mark with six days to go. #VoteSafe2020 #LAVotes pic.twitter.com/VB7UzlOz01
— Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) October 29, 2020
Nearly 800 in-person vote centers will open Friday across L.A. County.
Unlike Los Angeles, Orange County began sending ballots to every voter for the March primary election, so this is not the county’s first experience with a majority vote-by-mail election. One developing trend there: The non-partisan firm Political Data Inc. notes that Republicans are holding on to their ballots at a significantly higher rate than Democrats.
Several competitive O.C.-area congressional and state legislative races are on the ballot, and GOP interest in the election is high. Some analysts are concerned that could translate to lines at voting centers on Election Day, if Republicans decide to heed President Trump’s advice to vote in-person.
“I’m always thinking about that, especially with COVID,” Kelley said. He’s encouraging voters to take advantage of the various options for early voting, both in-person and by mail. “And if they’re more comfortable handing off [their ballot] in person, they can skip the lines at any vote center to deliver,” he added.
Early voting doesn’t guarantee overall turnout will be higher than normal. It will take weeks to get a complete picture of turnout, and the vote won’t be finalized until election officials sign off on the returns. Counties must report their results by early December, and the Secretary of State has until Dec. 11 to officially certify the election returns.
“I think it’s a bit early,” Kelley said. “But I believe, based on interest levels, we will definitely still see potential record turnout.
Support for LAist comes from
(You can find all the election info you need at VoterGamePlan.com.)
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist