Electronic polling machines and extended voting days seek to improve voter turnout.
For the 2020 election, LA County implemented a new voting system to make casting ballots more accessible to citizens and increase voter turnout.
Instead of having preassigned polling stations, there are nearly 1,000 voting centers across the county where citizens can vote. Most stations will be open for four days, from Feb. 29 to March 3. Others are open starting on Feb. 22.
The ballot includes a list of presidential candidates for the Democratic Primary, Republican Primary and other parties. Voters will choose the candidate who will represent each party in the November election.
Citizens can also select their district representatives in the House of Representatives, State Assembly and other positions.
Additionally, the ballot includes three measures, including Proposition 13, which will allocate more money for schools.
This year, the voting centers near TC are TCUSD Office, Casa Robles Nazarene Retirement Center and Our Savior Lutheran Church. They will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Feb. 29 to March 2. The last day to vote is March 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Having a longer period of time to cast a ballot and being able to vote at any location is a good thing because it will increase voter participation,” school board member Donna Georgino said. “I hope the changes will encourage students to register and vote once they can.”
LA County removed the InkaVote system, where voters used marking devices on paper ballot cards. Although residents can still vote using paper ballots, touchscreen tablets replaced the InkaVote system.
The new ballot marking devices allow people to personalize the display, such as adjusting the font size and color contrast. The tablet offers different languages for voters with low English proficiency, which can provide help to some TC residents. Citizens can also adjust the angle of the devices and wear audio headsets to help them complete the voting process.
After completing the ballots on the tablets, a machine will print out a copy, which voters will insert back into the machine after verification.
LA County changed the system to make voting more secure because the machines don’t require internet connection to work, eliminating the risk of interference and technical difficulties. The tablets also do not store data or tally votes.
Voters may still apply to receive their ballot by mail by Feb. 25 and must deliver it to the county elections office no later than March 6. They can also drop off their ballot at any polling station by March 3.
Instead of driving to an assigned voting place, college students can visit the nearest polling station, making it easier for them to vote.
Students must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 by Election Day to vote. Students who are 16 and 17 may pre-register to become automatically registered once they turn 18.