CHAIR NATHAN FLETCHER WANTS TO EXPAND VOTER ACCESS WITH REGIONAL VOTE CENTERS

Chair Nathan Fletcher is introducing a policy Tuesday for the County of San Diego to adopt the regional Vote Center model outlined in the California Voter’s Choice Act. If supported, voter access will be expanded because all voters will receive a vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot, and traditional polling locations will be replaced with regional Vote Centers. 

“Vote Centers will be open more days, provide more services and create a more convenient voting experience for San Diegans,” said Chair Fletcher. “Our democracy is stronger when more people participate, and adopting the Vote Center model like 25 other counties in California is a good way for us to increase participation.”

Vote Centers would go into effect for the June 2022 gubernatorial primary election if approved on Tuesday, and will provide the following benefits:

• All active voters will be mailed a ballot with pre-paid postage, which can be returned by mail, at drop-off locations or the Vote Center; 

• Vote Centers will be open for four days including Election Day, and some Vote Centers will be open up to 10 days prior to Election Day; and  

• Vote Centers can offer replacement ballots, language assistance, and same-day voter registration. 

Vote Centers have been shown to also support increased voter participation amongst historically marginalized communities of color and youth,  advancing voting rights.

Fifteen California counties, representing nearly 50 percent of California voters, including Los Angeles County and Orange County, have already moved to the VCA vote center model. The Secretary of State has confirmed ten additional counties that will transition to VCA in 2022. These include Alameda, Kings, Marin, Merced, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Ventura, and Yolo counties. These twenty-five counties that have already transitioned or will transition to the VCA in 2022 represent a total of 13,604,289 registered voters, or nearly 62 percent of California voters, as of August 31, 2021.

To read the entire policy, click here. 

Implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act in San Diego County aligns with Chair Nathan Fletcher’s Framework for the Future of San Diego County. The Framework prioritizes communities and populations in San Diego that have been historically left behind. Through this Framework, Chair Fletcher is fighting for racial justice, health equity, economic opportunity, environmental protection, government transparency, and fundamental changes to county operations.