Solano County Begins Processing Ballots for Nov. 4 Election

The Solano County Registrar of Voters has commenced the processing of ballots for the upcoming special election on November 4, 2024. Employees at the County Government Center in Fairfield are actively sorting, counting, and scanning ballots as early processing begins. This election will determine the outcome of Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, which aims to implement a newly drawn congressional district map for future elections.

Earlier this year, the Democrat-controlled California legislature approved Proposition 50 in response to redistricting efforts perceived to favor the Republican party, particularly in Texas. If passed, this measure will alter district boundaries for the elections in 2026, 2028, and 2030, diverging from the map established by the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Voting in Solano County has already begun, with approximately 30,000 of the 277,000 mail-in ballots sent to voters received at the Registrar’s office. According to John Gardner, the assistant registrar of voters, the return rate of ballots is currently “higher than average,” with about 5,000 ballots arriving daily. Gardner noted that the pace of returns is comparable to a normal general election but slightly less than presidential election years.

The total number of ballots expected to be processed is around 200,000, with an additional 10,000 anticipated to be cast in person on Election Day. Voters can submit their ballots at 68 polling stations, 26 drop-off sites, and designated curbside locations across the county. The Registrar’s office itself is also available for ballot drop-off.

The financial implications of the special election are significant, with estimated costs reaching $2.6 million for Solano County and approximately $250 million statewide, all funded by taxpayers. Election Day operations will start early, with staff arriving at 6 a.m. to ensure the smooth functioning of polling stations, which will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Voters in line by 8 p.m. will still be permitted to cast their votes.

Interestingly, Gardner highlighted that historically, about half of the vote-by-mail ballots are dropped off on Election Day itself. This trend suggests that not all votes will be tallied immediately after the polls close, with initial results released shortly after 8 p.m. but complete counts continuing into the following days. “We’ll still be counting votes Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,” Gardner explained.

Ballot tabulations will be forwarded to the Secretary of State after the polls close, with updates provided until the election is officially certified by December 4, 2024. It is not uncommon for special elections to feature a single measure or open office, making this vote particularly focused.

As Solano County prepares for this significant electoral event, the community remains engaged, awaiting the potential implications of their decisions regarding Proposition 50 and its impact on future elections.