California Lawsuit Challenges Mail-in Ballot Counting Policy

Categories: California Breaking NewsCalifornia News

Voters participating in mail-in voting in California ahead of the 2024 elections.

News Summary

A legal dispute in California centers around Representative Darrell Issa’s lawsuit against Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The lawsuit contests the state’s policy allowing mail-in ballots to be counted up to seven days after Election Day. Issa argues this policy violates federal election laws, while the League of Women Voters intervenes, expressing concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement. The case reflects ongoing debates about the accessibility and integrity of mail-in voting as the 2024 elections approach.

California is witnessing a legal battle following a lawsuit filed by Representative Darrell Issa against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The lawsuit seeks to challenge the state’s policy regarding mail-in ballots, particularly focusing on the counting of ballots that are received up to seven days after Election Day, provided they are postmarked by that day. Issa contends that this policy is in violation of federal election laws.

In his legal action, Issa argues for the necessity of voters to mail their ballots well in advance of Election Day to ensure that every vote is counted in a timely manner. The League of Women Voters of California has intervened in the proceedings, expressing concerns that altering the current mail-in ballot deadline could disenfranchise a significant number of voters across the state.

Susan Wilson, President of the League of Women Voters Redding Chapter, highlights that historically, 99.88% of mail-in ballots are received by the seven-day post-Election Day allowance, which underscores the importance of providing every voter with the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. The data indicates that in Shasta County, over 80% of voters have opted for mail-in ballots during the last election while 97.7% of those ballots were received within three days.

The League’s involvement in the lawsuit is based on the assertion that Issa’s actions may impede their mission to enhance voter engagement and decrease disenfranchisement risks among voters. Some reports suggest that Issa may have ulterior motives, specifically aiming to disenfranchise voters who might not align with his political stance.

The mail-in ballot counting policy currently being questioned was enacted by state legislators in 2021 following a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. This provision enables ballots that are postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received by November 12, 2024, thus allowing for a week-long period to accommodate delayed mail deliveries. Recent elections have shown a strong tendency toward mail-in voting in California, with nearly 81% of residents having chosen this option in the 2024 election and almost 87% doing so in the 2020 election.

Looking ahead, the upcoming 2024 Presidential General Election in Shasta County is scheduled for November 5, 2024. Voters will have the opportunity to engage in various local races and measures, including contests for city council, school board elections, and propositions affecting education and fire protection services. A total of 59 distinct ballots will be distributed, tailored to voters’ respective districts.

As part of the election process, voter registration can be accomplished through online platforms, by mail, or in person, with the deadline for registration set for October 21, 2024. Ballots for the election are set to be mailed out starting on October 7, 2024, with ballot drop-off locations becoming available the following day, October 8, 2024. To ensure inclusion in the vote count, mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, while the final receipt is again set for November 12, 2024.

In addition to mail-in voting, the election will also feature in-person voting available on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters have the ability to track the status of their mail-in ballots and request replacements through specified channels to ensure their participation is recorded. However, recent reports have surfaced detailing noteworthy challenges with ballot scanning in Shasta County, which could impact the overall accuracy of the vote count.