California and Minnesota Counties Prepare for November 3 Election

Election officials in California and Minnesota are implementing new accessibility measures and security protocols for the November 3 General Election. In Mono County, the Mono County Elections Office added two official ballot drop box locations at the Lee Vining and Benton community centers. This expansion complies with Senate Bill 884, urgency legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom requiring statewide vote-by-mail drop-off locations to open at least 30 days before Election Day.

In Minnesota, the Olmsted County Elections Office will begin in-person early voting on October 16. Voters can cast ballots at the county elections office through November 2, with a second site opening at Rochester City Hall on October 27. To ensure system reliability, county staff are conducting a public accuracy test of voting computer programs and tabulators on Tuesday.

Both jurisdictions have already initiated mail-in processes. Mono County sent ballots to all registered voters on October 5, while absentee voting by mail has been available in Olmsted County since September. In Minnesota, all ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.