Solano County Begins Early Processing for Special Election Ballots

Early ballot processing commenced in Solano County as employees at the Registrar of Voters (ROV) began sorting, counting, and scanning ballots for the upcoming special election on November 4, 2024. This election will determine the fate of Proposition 50, known as the Election Rigging Response Act, which, if approved, will allow California to utilize a newly drawn congressional district map for future elections.

The initiative, sanctioned by the state’s Democrat-controlled legislature earlier this year, aims to counteract a Republican-favored redistricting strategy implemented in Texas. This strategy was influenced by former President Donald Trump, who sought to increase GOP representation in the House of Representatives by five seats come 2026.

As the early processing began, employees retrieved thousands of mailed-in ballots from the Fairfield Post Office. The ROV’s facility is equipped with ballot scanners and a sorting system that photographs signatures for verification. According to John Gardner, the assistant registrar of voters, approximately 30,000 of the total 277,000 ballots dispatched to Solano voters have already arrived.

Ballot Return Rates Higher Than Average

Gardner noted that the current ballot return rate is tracking higher than average, with about 5,000 ballots being returned each day. He described this trend as comparable to a general election, indicating that it surpasses the return rates typically seen in gubernatorial elections but falls slightly short of presidential election levels. He estimated that around 200,000 ballots would ultimately be returned, along with more than 10,000 ballots expected to be cast in person on Election Day across the county’s 68 polling stations.

The special election is projected to cost taxpayers approximately $2.6 million in Solano County, with a statewide financial impact estimated at $250 million. On Election Day, polling hours will run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with ROV employees starting their day at 6 a.m. to ensure support for all polling stations.

While it may be surprising to some, Gardner emphasized that around half of the mail-in ballots are typically dropped off on Election Day itself. Consequently, not all votes will be counted immediately after the polls close, with initial results expected shortly after 8 p.m.

Election Certification Timeline

Ballot tabulations sent to the Secretary of State will begin once the polls close. Updates will follow until the election is certified by law, which must occur by December 4, 2024. Gardner pointed out that it is not unusual for special elections to feature only one measure or an open elective office on ballots during odd-numbered years.

As staff members prepare for what is expected to be a busy election season, the community anticipates engaging in the decision-making process regarding Proposition 50. The outcomes of this election could have significant implications for California’s political landscape in the years to come.