California and Colorado Begin Mailing Midterm Election Ballots

Election officials in California and Colorado began distributing mail-in ballots for the November 3 midterm elections this week. In Los Angeles County, the registrar's office started mailing ballots to nearly 6 million registered voters on October 1, ahead of the Monday deadline for all county offices. Voters can return postage-free ballots via mail, at one of 400 drop boxes, or at in-person centers starting October 24.

Shirley Weber, the California Secretary of State, confirmed that the state will maintain standard election administration after the Supreme Court of the United States rejected an attempt by the Donald Trump administration to restrict mail ballots. Weber stated that the ruling ensures voters can cast ballots without fear that their voices will be questioned.

In Colorado, county clerks are mailing ballots from October 2 through October 9. The ballot features 14 statewide measures, tying a 52-year record for the most questions on a Colorado ballot. In Eagle County, Clerk and Recorder Becky Close confirmed that military and overseas ballots have been transmitted and that local systems passed bipartisan testing to ensure votes are counted as cast.

Officials in both states recommend mailing ballots by late October—October 27 in California and October 26 in Colorado—to ensure timely delivery. In California, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days to be counted.