Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

California Secretary Of State Alex Padilla Discusses Voting In-Person, Unauthorized Drop Boxes, And Why You Can't Change Your Vote

  •  Steve Milne 
  •  Megan Manata 
Friday, October 30, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File

In this Oct. 5, 2020, file photo, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, left, and Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley hold a news conference on Orange County's comprehensive plans to safeguard the election and provide transparency.

AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File

The last day of voting for the general election is creeping up, and due to the pandemic, misinformation and fires in California, this election is unlike any other.

As of Thursday, nearly 9 million ballots have been cast in California between drop boxes, mail-in ballots, and in-person voting.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla joined CapRadio’s Insight to talk about poll observers, what to expect when voting in-person and the unauthorized California state GOP’s ballot boxes. He advised Californians not to think of Tuesday as Election Day.

"Think of Tuesday, November 3 as the last day to vote," Padilla said. "With so many options to voting early, by mail or in person, we're really encouraging people to vote early, if they can, and avoid those lines."

Voters can mail out their ballot on the last day of voting, Nov. 3, but it must be postmarked by that day. To ensure that, voters are recommended to either take it to a post office, or drop it in a blue mailbox. If dropping it in a blue mailbox, the voter should pay attention to what time the collection is at. If the pick-up time has passed, voters should find another location or drop it off at a post office.

California voters with questions, concerns, or anything related to voting, can call (800)-345-VOTE (8683).

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Interview highlights

On President Trump’s claim that people can change their vote if they vote early

We’ve got a few phone calls [from voters in the state asking about this] to that effect. But, by and large, I think most people know the rules in California. Once you’ve cast your ballot, that’s it. You can’t vote twice, of course, but to be honest, I don’t see a lot of people changing their mind[s] in many contexts. Most folks have their mind made up for some time now.

So the good news is it’s both voter registration that is through the roof, and if you haven’t registered to vote, if you missed last week’s deadline, you can still show up and do it in person at any in-person voting location.

Early ballot returns are way up as well. Nearly 9 million ballots [have been returned], between those vote-by-mail ballots that have been returned and some of the in-person voting locations throughout the state. So all signs point to a big, big turnout this year.

On poll observers and what is allowed

Election observation is legal in California. It is allowed, but it is only that, election observation. We also have a voters’ bill of rights, which includes the right of any voter to be able to cast their ballot free of any harassment or intimidation.

So if folks that are out there observing the polls or “poll watching,” they have to keep a distance and not interfere in any way, shape or form. Not just with an individual voter, but the general administration of the election. That’s the job of poll workers and supervisors in every in-person voting location.

So is poll watching or observing allowed? Yes, but not in any way that’s going to lead to harassment, intimidation or interference of any type. Folks who observe or experience something are welcome to call our voter hotline to report it at 1-800-345-VOTE, and we’ll respond accordingly.

On what a voter can expect at a vote center in regards to safety protocols

The in-person voting experience is also a little bit different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So the best example I can point to is, we can’t go to the grocery store the same way anymore, and neither will the voting in-person experience be the same.

Bring your masks. Expect the signage and physical distancing. Poll workers [will] also [be] outfitted with PPE, face shields, gloves, etc. ... hand sanitizer available for everybody. The voting equipment is wiped down before and after every voter. We’re implementing all measures to keep voters and election workers safe.

But it may take another minute or two between voters, so another reason to vote early and not risk having to wait in line or wait longer than you should on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

On the California GOP’s unauthorized ballot drop boxes

A few weeks ago … it was brought to our attention [that] some problematic and frankly misleading drop boxes that were not installed by counties, they were not authorized, they were not official, but they were labeled as official ballot drop boxes.

They’re problematic for a number of reasons. Official drop boxes, only counties are authorized to install, and we know both exactly who is retrieving the ballots and how frequently.

[With] unauthorized boxes, we don’t know who’s collecting the ballots, and we can’t assure voters that those ballots made it all the way to the county. So we did issue cease and desist orders through the attorney general. The good news is those boxes seem like they have been removed, so that’s good.

But there was additional information we needed to obtain. How many boxes, how many ballots, were they all returned to counties, et cetera. And the state Republican Party has not complied with all aspects of this cease and desist order, so that cease and desist became subpoenas for that information. Those were not complied with. I know the attorney general has gone to court, so it’s both an ongoing investigation and an ongoing legal matter.

On collecting and submitting ballots for other voters

Is ballot collection allowed in the state of California? Yes. Voters have multiple options for how to return their ballot. California law does empower voters if they need assistance in returning their ballot to choose who they trust to assist them. But that person assisting the voter must also add their name, their signature, and their relationship to the voter to the outside of the envelope to provide, what we call, a chain of custody.

That’s what was lost with these misleading, deceiving ballot drop boxes, the voter did not know who it was they were turning their ballot over to. And so the good news is [that it] appears those boxes are now gone. The Republican Party is more than welcome to continue the ballot collection, but it must be consistent with what state law requires.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Election 2020

  • Election 2020: Latest Results And Updates

    See all of CapRadio's coverage of the 2020 Election, including our guide to voting, explainers for all 12 statewide ballot measures and fact-checks on election misinformation.

 Election 2020

Steve Milne

Morning Edition Anchor & Reporter

Steve is the Morning Edition anchor for Capital Public Radio. He covers stories on a wide range of topics including: business, education, real estate, agriculture and music.  Read Full Bio 

Megan Manata

Interactive Producer

Megan Manata is an Interactive Producer at CapRadio where she shares CapRadio’s content across our website and social media.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California reparations task force aims at more than dollars, seeks policies to prevent harm

January 27, 2023

Ariana Drehsler / CalMatters

California reparations task force zeroes in on who’d be eligible for compensation

January 30, 2023

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Republican plan would outlaw homeless camps near California schools or parks

January 26, 2023

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

California coronavirus updates: Judge blocks California law preventing doctors from spreading COVID-19 misinformation

Tyre Nichols loved skateboarding. That's how his friends say they'll remember him

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

California coronavirus updates: Judge blocks California law preventing doctors from spreading COVID-19 misinformation

Tyre Nichols loved skateboarding. That's how his friends say they'll remember him

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.