'No Stamp, No Problem' - All Vote-by-Mail Ballots Now Come with Prepaid Postage Return Envelopes
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All California vote-by-mail ballots will now come with prepaid postage return envelopes. Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced a new social media campaign to educate voters about this change.
“In California, it's now 'No Stamp, No Problem' for vote-by-mail voters,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Once you've filled out your vote-by-mail ballot, simply place it in the return envelope, seal the envelope, sign on the designated line, and place it into the mail box. For over a decade, Californians have been increasingly choosing to vote-by-mail. Providing prepaid postage on all vote-by-mail return envelopes makes this option even more convenient for voters. It's another way we can make it easier to participate in our democracy."
The Special Primary Elections in Senate Districts 1 and 33 will be the first state elections to occur under the new prepaid postage return envelope law.
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Secretary Padilla Testifies at US House Committee on Homeland Security
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On February 13, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla testified at the US House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. The public hearing, "Defending our Democracy: Building Partnerships to Protect America's Elections," was part of a series of hearings on H.R. 1, For the People Act.
“I want to thank Chairman Thompson, ranking member Rogers, and members of the House Committee on Homeland Security for the opportunity to testify today. If we agree that the integrity of our elections is a matter of national security, then we must act accordingly and recognize that elections officials are on the front lines.”
“The defense of our nation’s election systems and infrastructure must be a top priority for all of government — federal, state, and local. After all, our democracy is under attack. And simply put, too many elections officials are ill equipped to defend against 21st century threats. If we genuinely value our democracy, then we must commit consistent federal support for election security and administration.”
Read the full testimony
here
.
Notable Coverage:
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Secretary Padilla Sponsors new Constitutional Amendment to Restore Voting Rights to Parolees
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Secretary of State Alex Padilla joined Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles), Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and criminal justice reform advocates to introduce ACA 6, known as the Free the Vote Act, legislation aimed to restore the right to vote for people on parole. In California, a person’s right to vote is suspended when they are incarcerated or on parole for a felony conviction. As a result, approximately 48,600 Californians on parole are unable to vote in state, federal, or local elections.
“Civic participation is foundational to a sense of community—and it can play a major role in reducing recidivism,” Secretary Padilla said. “If we are serious about reintegrating the formerly incarcerated into society, we should not be shunning them from democracy. California has led the way in expanding voting rights that are fundamental to American citizenship.”
Notable Coverage:
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Secretary of State Alex Padilla Sets Deadline for Counties to Retire Old Voting Machines and Modernize Election Infrastructure
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Secretary Padilla has initiated the process for withdrawing certification or conditional approval of voting systems that were not tested or certified under the most recent state security standards. County elections officials must now implement a voting system that meets the state’s newest testing and certification standards in time for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election.
“Throughout California, many counties are using voting systems that are at or near their life expectancy. Some counties use machines that are so old that vendors no longer make replacement parts. Some counties utilize operating systems that are so old that they are no longer supported and security upgrades are not available. While county officials have worked diligently to keep equipment up and running, our democracy faces increasingly sophisticated threats from nefarious actors, both foreign and domestic. The time is now for all California counties to modernize voting equipment.”
“As California’s Chief Elections Official, I have a fundamental responsibility to ensure the security and integrity of our elections. To that end, I have initiated the process for withdrawing certification or conditional approval of voting systems that were not tested or certified under our most recent state standards,” Padilla said.
Secretary Padilla is prepared to work in partnership with all California counties to deploy a modern voting system as soon as it is practically feasible.
Notable Coverage:
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Secretary of State Alex Padilla Recognizes the First Statewide University and College Ballot Bowl Winners
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Cal Poly San Luis Obispo won the inaugural 2018 California University and College Ballot Bowl competition by registering the most students of any participating campus. Secretary of State Alex Padilla visited the campus to meet and present a trophy to Cal Poly students and administrators who worked to register 3,178 students. Cal Poly was inducted as the inaugural Ballot Bowl champion into the Secretary of State’s University and College Hall of Fame.
“Campus pride was on display across California in 2018, as students registered over 10,000 of their peers through our inaugural Ballot Bowl," California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. "Nowhere was that pride more evident than Cal Poly — where over 3,000 Mustangs were registered to vote. Democracy is built upon civic engagement, and I’m so proud to see students and administrators come together to register voters throughout California for the Ballot Bowl. I can’t wait to see how campuses across California get even more creative as they register voters for the 2020 presidential election."
Notable Coverage:
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Secretary of State Alex Padilla Leads Conversation on Equity, Inclusion and Justice at Obama Foundation's MBK Rising! gathering in Oakland
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California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, together with Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, led a session at the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper's Alliance first national convening in Oakland. The theme of the session was "California for All: changing systems to advance equity, inclusion and justice."
MBK Rising!
brought together hundreds of young men of color and leaders from organizations in the growing network of MBK Communities to connect, learn and share. They joined President Obama in celebrating the achievements of organizations and communities leading the way in reducing youth violence, growing impactful mentorship programs, and improving life outcomes for boys and young men of color.
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Orange County Votes to Implement Voter's Choice Act for 2020 Elections
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The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the Voter's Choice Act for the 2020 Elections. Under this modern election model, every registered voter will automatically receive their ballot by mail and have options for how to return their ballot, by mail, to any ballot drop box in the county, or at any vote center in the county convenient to them.
“By adopting the Voter’s Choice Act, Orange County continues to be a national leader in administering accessible and secure elections," said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. I look forward to working with Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley and his team, along with civic organizations throughout the county, to ensure proper voter outreach and a successful implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act in 2020.”
“The Voter’s Choice Act works — in 2018 all five counties that implemented the model surpassed the statewide record turnout. By modernizing our elections we can provide voters more options for when, where, and how they cast their ballots — that’s great for democracy.”
In addition to Orange County, Los Angeles County has already moved to adopt the Voter’s Choice Act beginning in 2020, with several other counties considering doing so as well.
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CA State Archives Releases New Digital Exhibit Featuring the Town of Allensworth for Black History Month
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Using photographs, maps, and documents from the battlefields of the Civil War to the railroad tracks of the Santa Fe railway, the California State Archives’ new exhibit – Allensworth: Realization and Resurrection of an African American Dream – tells the story of the rise and fall of the town of Allensworth in rural Tulare County.
“The legacy and story of Allensworth is embedded in state history,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “Allen Allensworth embodied the spirit of California. Like many others, he arrived to the Golden State with a dream of building a more just world. The State Archives’ work will help preserve the legacy of Allensworth and make this unique piece of state history accessible to all Californians. I am proud to share the story of Allensworth for Black History Month.”
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One Year Out: Vote-by-Mail Ballots for 2020 Primary to be Mailed February 3, 2020
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In less than a year, county elections officials will begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots to California voters for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary.
"While the eyes of the nation will be on the Iowa Caucuses on February 3, 2020, millions of ballots will begin to be delivered to California voters," said California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. "In 2020, California's Presidential Primary will be in primetime — and California voters will have a major voice in selecting nominees for President of the United States. We will work to make sure voters are ready."
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Senate District 1 and 33 Special Primary Elections - March 26, 2019
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The Special Primary Elections for State Senate Districts 1 and 33 will be held on March 26, 2019. Need to register to vote? Want to check your voter registration status? We can help.
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