Trying to make voting easier and more accessible

While several bills would change the way Californians vote, one proposal is really in the spotlight: SB 450 would gradually move Californians to casting more ballots by mail and would use “vote centers” placed in shopping districts and locations that supporters believe are more convenient than traditional polling places. The vote centers would be open prior to election day, and although counties would not be required to join in to the new system, most would have the option, starting in 2020. Most counties also would mail a ballot to every single voter, though Los Angeles County would be exempt. Other notable bills are AB 1921 and AB 2089, which would make it easier for vote-by-mail ballots to be collected by a single person and for voters whose ballot wasn’t counted to find out why.

The latest: SB 450 was approved by the Assembly on Tuesday and awaits action in the Senate. The other bills, AB 2809 and AB 1921, are also awaiting Senate votes. Back story: There are really three big motivations behind SB 450. First is the troubling low turnout of Californians in recent elections. Second is the trend in the state toward voting by mail, as more than half of registered voters have opted out of the traditional polling place. And finally, the idea of vote centers comes from Colorado, where a similar system is touted as having boosted turnout. Secretary of State Alex Padilla and registrars from most California counties are for it. A group called the Election Integrity Project warns that voting by mail is less secure than casting a ballot at a polling place. Meanwhile, other groups sought a provision for mailed ballots to include prepaid return postage or a delay in full implementation until 2022.