NewsClicks

October 11, 2016 - At a time when the world is watching our electoral process, a new film has been released showcasing how elections are really conducted - entitled Blueprints for Democracy: How We Vote.

October 10, 2016 - Over a period of three days last week we mailed 1.5 million vote pamphlets to Orange County voters. This is a large, complex operation involving multiple teams coordinating production, printing, proofing, mail preparation, etc. But we don't simply mail without ensuring these voter pamphlets have been delivered. The image below shows data on our mailing - and how the voter pamphlets were delivered countywide. Blue areas were mailed on 9/29, green areas were mailed on 9/30 and gold areas were mailed on 10/4.

October 6, 2016 - Prior to the June Primary Election we described how we analyze turnout data using data analysis tools from MIT. We now have additional data from the June Primary that has aided us in further analyzing trends to closely forecast the number of voting booths we will need at each polling place.

October 1, 2016 - Later today we will be at the Chapman University Chili Cook Off with another one of our free concerts featuring Orange County's Ceasefire band. The Chapman Family Homecoming Celebration is sponsored by the Chapman University Alumni Association with opportunities to celebrate Panther Pride, reunions, programs for parents and families, faculty master classes, Inauguration of University President and the 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off.

October 1, 2016 - As of today we have issued 7,635 ballots to members of the military and overseas civilians. But the interest level is obviously high - we are receiving 50+ new applications per day from these voters. This is good news - usually we see stronger interest in a general election versus a primary, but these numbers are higher than in past elections.

September 29, 2016 - Today is the first day that we can mail voter pamphlets to Orange County voters. We have mailed nearly 800,000 booklets today - the remainder of the booklets will mail out over the next few days. Voters who have requested materials in another language will receive their booklets in early October. We have nearly 400 ballot styles in Orange County, which means that booklets with different content are being mailed throughout the County.

September 25, 2016 - If you are an overseas voter (UOCAVA) election officials are required to send your absentee ballot 45 days before an election for those who are registered and have requested a ballot. Last evening was that 45 day deadline. We completed sending all requests for overseas absentee ballots just before midnight. If you live or work overseas and submit a request within 45 days of the election, we will send your ballot as soon as possible, upon processing your form. 

September 23, 2016 - On Tuesday, September 27^th, Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley will appear with California Secretary of State Alex Padilla at Cal State Fullerton to promote voter registration.

In 2008, 6 million Americans didn't vote because they missed a registration deadline or didn't know how to register. In 2016, we want to make sure no one is left out - on September 27, 2016, volunteers, celebrities, and organizations from all over the country will "hit the streets" for National Voter Registration Day.

September 17, 2016 - A new film is coming soon that will shed light on the intensity of producing elections. The seed of this story, Blueprints for Democracy: How We Vote, lies in the incredible details required to place a candidate on a ballot, produce that ballot and count votes.  This follow up to the award-winning documentary, What it Takes to Count: Inside an Orange County Election, dives even further into the myriad of details involved in producing elections.  The sheer scale of logistics required in order to ensure a fair and accurate election often bewilders the public, which become

September 16, 2016 - There's about to be some changes in the Orange County polling place landscape. Why? It all comes down to jurisdictions moving from at-large elections to district based elections. For instance, many school districts and cities are moving from legislative bodies being elected from throughout the jurisdiction to individual, carved out districts. This creates more areas where ballot types cross, creating the need for new polling places. Voters who have been used to going to a specific polling place for years may find that their polling place has changed.