Solano County Begins Processing Ballots for November 4 Election

Ballot processing for the upcoming special election in Solano County has commenced, with officials working diligently to ensure a smooth voting experience for residents. Employees at the Solano County Registrar of Voters (ROV) have begun sorting, counting, and scanning ballots for the Proposition 50 election set for November 4, 2024. The results will be transmitted to the Secretary of State following the conclusion of voting.

Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, was approved earlier this year by the Democrat-controlled state Legislature. If passed, it will implement a newly drawn congressional district map for the elections in 2026, 2028, and 2030. This proposition aims to counteract a Republican-favored gerrymander plan in Texas, where state officials sought to increase Republican representation in the House of Representatives by five seats.

Ballots have been arriving at the ROV’s processing center in the County Government Center in Fairfield since earlier this month. According to John Gardner, the assistant registrar of voters, approximately 30,000 of the 277,000 ballots mailed to Solano voters have already been received. Gardner noted that the return rate for this special election is “higher than average,” with about 5,000 ballots arriving each day.

“This rate is tracking similar to a normal general election,” Gardner explained. “It’s more than what we typically see for a gubernatorial election, but slightly less than for a presidential election.” He anticipates around 200,000 ballots will be returned for processing, which includes an expected 10,000 or more in-person ballots cast on Election Day at the county’s 68 polling stations, along with 26 drop-off sites.

The financial implications of this election are significant, with costs estimated at $2.6 million locally and around $250 million statewide, all funded by taxpayers. ROV employees will begin their workday at 6:00 a.m. on Election Day to support polling stations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly throughout the day.

“Polling stations will be operational from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,” Gardner stated. “As long as a voter is in line by 8:00 p.m., they will be able to cast their vote.” Notably, historical data shows that nearly half of all vote-by-mail ballots are often dropped off on Election Day, meaning that not all votes will be counted immediately after the polls close.

“We will continue counting ballots on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,” Gardner added. “Historical trends indicate that more than 50 percent of ballots are returned on Election Day, which may delay immediate results.” Updates on ballot tabulations will be sent to the Secretary of State after the polls close, with the election officially certified by December 4.

Special elections in California often feature only one measure or a single open elective office, which is not unusual for odd-year ballots. As Solano County prepares for this important election, officials remain focused on ensuring a smooth and efficient voting process for all residents.