Make ballots COUNT in the Central Valley

Thousands of ballots were not counted in the Central Valley’s primary election in June.

There weren’t any dirty tricks. Most of the mail-in ballots not counted in the Valley — and statewide — were rejected because voters missed the deadline for returning their  ballots. That includes ballots in one of the Central Valley‘s key races in Congressional District 22 (CD-22).

So many mail-in ballots (148,241) were rejected statewide in June that it has some wondering, if it happens again, whether that could sway the outcome of tight races like CD-22’s in the bigger November election. 

In Kern County alone – which has the largest population in CD-22 – 3,294 mail-in ballots were rejected in the June primary because they were not returned in time (source: CA Secretary of State). In November, that could make the difference between who wins and who loses in a close race for CD-22’s seat in Congress. 

Count every vote

Getting ballots rejected for missing the deadline is not new. Still, it’s critical. What’s the solution? Ask people to vote EARLY. 

That’s a task for the Central Valley’s grassroots groups supported by Central Valley Matters. They can get the word out.

Every registered voter in California receives a ballot in the mail. This fall, county election officials will begin mailing ballots by Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 general election. Ballots returned in the mail must be postmarked by election day and arrive at the county registrar’s office a week after that. 

Canvassers are trained to let people know about this deadline. For years, Central Valley Matters has been supporting six grassroots groups in CD-22 to bring resources to neglected communities and boost voter turnout. 

These groups are canvassing, phone banking and holding community events in CD-22. They are on the ground in strategic areas of this swing district, which runs from Fresno to Bakersfield. 

 Goal: Huge turnout

These grassroots groups helped make impressive gains in voter turnout in the June primary, even with all the rejected ballots. 

They are poised to do it again this fall.

One of these groups, Community Water Center Action Fund, advocates for safe and clean water for Valley residents along with voter education and turnout. This year, they have established United for Water Justice, sponsored by CWC Action Fund (Federal), to work in Tulare and Kern County. They will reach voters at their doors, in phone conversations and with billboard campaigns using issue-based organizing focused on safe and affordable drinking water.