Early voting for gubernatorial primary begins in San Diego County

By CBS8

SAN DIEGO — Mail-in ballots for California's primary election should arrive in your mailbox this week.  

All registered voters can begin casting their ballots in the gubernatorial primary. The primary will determine which two candidates advance to the November general election. In-person voting at the Registrar of Voters office is available now. Additional vote centers will open on May 23. 

Also beginning Tuesday, voters may drop off their ballots at drop boxes located throughout the county, according to officials at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office. 

Predicting voter turnout remains challenging.  

"It's difficult to predict voter behavior. What we've typically seen in past gubernatorial primaries is about 35 to 40 percent, but as we get closer to the election, we'll see if the interest aligns or maybe is higher or lower," said Shawn Brom, San Diego County Registrar of Voters. 

The gubernatorial primary features a large field of candidates.  

Democratic Congress members Scott Peters, Mike Levin, and Sara Jacobs spoke to reporters Monday morning about the "Save America" Act, a contentious piece of legislation currently being debated in Congress. 

If passed, the act would require voters to present documentation, such as a passport or birth certificate, proving they can vote. Supporters argue the measure would ensure only legal citizens cast ballots. 

"The real ID driver's license that we all have to get now to travel would not be sufficient to prove your citizenship. I mean, it's ridiculous," said Congressman Scott Peters. "This is not just some voter identification, which a lot of people support, but it is really draconian. It would really be almost impossible to comply with." 

Critics contend the legislation will create new barriers to voting. They argue that some people lack readily available documentation and that the requirement could disenfranchise millions of voters. Opponents also contend the bill addresses a problem that does not exist, pointing to data showing voter fraud is extremely rare. An Associated Press review of the 2020 election found just 475 potentially fraudulent ballots out of more than 25 million cast. 

Also Monday, organizers submitted 167,000 signatures to place the San Diego Health and Safety Act on the ballot. The citizen-led measure proposes a half-cent sales tax increase to fund things such as the Tijuana River sewage crisis. It includes plans for infrastructure upgrades, expanded childcare investment, and stronger wildfire response. 

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters has 30 days to verify the signatures.