Prop. 50 Looms Large In CA, Riverside County Aims For Transparency

RIVERSIDE, CA — On November 4, Californians will decide the fate of Proposition 50, the statewide initiative that, if passed, authorizes temporary changes to congressional district maps.

Proposition 50 is one of the most expensive ballot measures in recent state history. With so much at stake, some Riverside County voters may be concerned about the integrity of the electoral process.

The County of Riverside Registrar of Voters is committed to transparency in local ballot counting.

Starting Tuesday, the Registrar is offering Election Observer Tours at its headquarters, providing the public with an opportunity to witness the process firsthand.

"Participants will have the chance to observe the processing of ballots, gaining insights into the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process," according to the Registrar's office. "This initiative aims to foster public understanding of how elections are conducted."

Tours will be held every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. through Election Day. The County of Riverside Registrar of Voters is located at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside.

"We invite community members to engage with the democratic process and learn how their votes are counted," Registrar Art Tinoco said. "Together, let’s ensure a fair, accurate and transparent election for all."

Each tour is limited to 20 people. To reserve a spot, contact 951-486-7200. Due to limited space, reservations are encouraged but not required.

The tours follow the Oct. 2 public witnessing of the logic and accuracy testing for the county's voting system. The Registrar of Voters' team conducted the tests in public view as a "critical step in ensuring the integrity and reliability of the voting process," according to the Registrar's office.

The testing involved processing ballots, followed by the tallying of results.

The campaign to support Prop. 50, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, had raised more than $138 million as of last week. Republicans are pouring in money to fight it.

California is not alone in attempting to redraw its U.S. House districts for partisan advantage. Republican lawmakers in Texas approved new congressional districts after President Donald Trump pushed for redistricting to favor the GOP.

Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe also signed a revised congressional map into law that favors his party.

While Newsom has put the issue into voters' hands, Prop. 50 veers from California's use of nonpartisan commissions that redraw congressional lines every 10 years, after new Census data are released. The lines were last redrawn in 2021 following the 2020 Census.

If Prop. 50 passes, California's new congressional maps will remain in effect through 2030, when new Census data are released.

Meanwhile, Riverside County's registered voters should start checking their mailboxes. On Tuesday, the County of Riverside Registrar of Voters office announced it sent out 1.4 million vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election.

To be counted, completed ballots must be received at the Registrar of Voters office or any vote center within Riverside County no later than the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than seven days after Election Day on Nov. 11.

Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned through the postal service. Voters who return their ballot by mail are not required to include postage on the return envelope.

Ballots can also be deposited in official vote-by-mail drop-off boxes. City clerk drop-off locations and hours of operation can be found on the Registrar’s website at www.voteinfo.net. Two 24-hour drop boxes are available outside the main entrance of the Registrar’s office at 2720 and 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside.

Additionally, vote-by-mail ballots can be dropped off in person at any vote center within Riverside County before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Early voting at the Registrar of Voters office began Monday, Oct. 6, and will continue Monday through Friday (excluding county holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Registrar’s office will be open to voters on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters who wish to register, update their address, or change their political party preference, must complete a voter registration application by Oct. 20. Residents can check eligibility and register online at registertovote.ca.gov or request a paper application by calling 951-486-7200.