Elections officials urge early mail-in voting, warn about 'misinformation' – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Sacramento, Calif. – State elections leaders issued a clear directive to voters on Tuesday, advising them to mail ballots at least one week before the June 2 primary to counter slower U.S. Postal Service delivery times.[1][2] Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber highlighted changes at the postal agency that have delayed mail across California, particularly in rural regions. Their guidance aims to ensure votes count amid a top-two primary where Democratic hopefuls face a crowded field.
Postal Service Shifts Fuel Ballot Risks
Sweeping modifications at the U.S. Postal Service, rolled out last year, cut back on mail collection runs at post offices nationwide, with notable effects in California.[1] Rural communities bore the brunt, as fewer pickups led to prolonged transit times for envelopes. A review of the November 2025 special election revealed a sharp rise in rejected mail-in ballots that arrived too late, outpacing figures from 2024.[2]
These delays matter deeply in a state where most residents cast ballots by mail. Officials noted that envelopes mailed even two days before Election Day risked missing deadlines. Ballots require a postmark no later than June 2 and must reach county offices within seven days after.[1] Rural counties registered the steepest jumps in such discards during the prior contest.
Direct Call to Action from Top Officials
Bonta and Weber delivered their message during a Sacramento news conference, stressing urgency as ballots hit mailboxes starting May 4.[3] “Get your ballot in the mail at least a week early,” Bonta stated. “You want to make sure your vote is counted.”[2] He reinforced the point: “You want your vote to be counted, I want your vote to be counted…. If you vote earlier, you maximize that possibility that it will.”
County elections offices began distributing vote-by-mail packets last week, with secure drop boxes opening the following day. Early in-person voting kicks off May 23 in select areas. The primary employs California’s top-two system, advancing the leading two candidates regardless of party to November.[1]
Addressing Dubious Social Media Advice
Beyond logistics, officials raised alarms over social media campaigns targeting Democrats. Posts on Facebook and Instagram, often identically phrased, encouraged “voting late” to avert a split among seven prominent Democratic contenders.[1] The tactic sought to block Republicans Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco from claiming the top two spots.
One message falsely attributed advice to historian Heather Cox Richardson, who disavowed it entirely. Bonta labeled such content as potential “misinformation” or “disinformation” and “potentially unlawful.” “And the misinformation that you’re referencing is the misinformation we’re trying to combat,” he said.[2] Weber’s office launched a probe into the posts’ origins. Governor Gavin Newsom, in a letter to county officials, tied prolonged counts to amplified falsehoods: “We must acknowledge that the longer the voting count takes, the more mis- and disinformation spreads.”[1]
Options to Secure Your Vote
Voters hold several paths to participation. Mailing remains viable if done promptly, ideally by May 26. For later submissions, entering a post office to secure a hand-stamped postmark helps verify timeliness.[2]
- Drop ballots at designated secure boxes, county offices, or vote centers.
- Vote early in person starting May 23 where available.
- Confirm registration by May 18; polls operate June 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Recent laws mandate results within 13 days, down from 30, to curb uncertainty. State leaders emphasized reliable methods to sidestep pitfalls.
With ballots already en route, officials urged immediate steps to protect participation rates.
