LOS ANGELES, CA — Amid federal legal action alleging improprieties in voter registration across the state and repeated contentions by the Trump administration of widespread voter fraud, Los Angeles County officials sought to reassure residents Wednesday that local elections are secure and people's right to cast a ballot will be protected.
"The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and every eligible voter should be able to cast a ballot without fear or intimidation," county Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis said in a statement. "At a time when immigration enforcement is creating fear in communities across Los Angeles County, residents must know their rights and feel confident participating in our elections.
"Our elections are secure, and Los Angeles County is fighting in court to protect every eligible voter's right to have their ballot counted. I urge everyone who is eligible to vote to make a plan, return their Vote by Mail ballot or visit a vote center. Do not let fear keep you from exercising your right to vote."
More than 100 vote centers are already open at locations across the county. Beginning Saturday, a total of 646 vote centers will be available. A total of 429 drop boxes are also available for people to submit their completed ballots.
The voting for the highly anticipated mid-term election is occurring amid a federal lawsuit calling on election officials in California to sequester roughly 20,000 mail-in ballots by people the U.S. Department of Justice suspects are non-citizens and ineligible to vote. State and local attorneys are fighting the issue, questioning the basis for the federal government's claim and insisting all mandated protocols for voting in the state are being followed.
Critics have accused the federal government of attempting to sow distrust in the electoral process with the lawsuit and persistent claims — without evidence — by President Donald Trump and other Republican elected officials about rampant election fraud.
"Our office takes voter eligibility seriously, and any credible evidence of unlawful voting or attempts at disrupting elections warrants appropriate review. Claims of unlawful voting must be supported by verifiable evidence, not assumptions," Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said in a statement. "Our responsibility is to uphold the law, protect eligible voters, and ensure public confidence is grounded in facts. Ultimately, the best security in our elections is through participation, and we encourage every eligible voter to make their voice heard."
County officials stressed that every mail-in ballot undergoes signature verification before it is counted, and questioned ballots are set aside until issues can be resolved.
The county also noted that opportunities for public observation of ballot-processing are provided, including online at lavote.gov/livestream.
"The county has further strengthened its operational readiness through comprehensive contingency planning, coordinated incident response procedures, and countywide election security exercises to ensure voting services remain safe, accessible, and uninterrupted," authorities said in a statement.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the voting and ballot- tabulation process can contact the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's hotline at 800-815-2666 or by emailing voterinfo@rrcc.lacounty.gov.
"Our election system has integrity and safeguards at every step, and I fully support the county responding openly and transparently to any legal or other inquiry," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. "I'm confident it will pass every test. Voters can cast their ballots with confidence."
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