More than 4 million California voters have sent in their Prop. 50 ballots so far

California voters are turning in their ballots for the special election on redistricting at a faster rate than in previous elections at this point—about a week out before Election Day—according to one prominent data analyst. However, it is still too soon to determine whether this will result in higher overall voter turnout for the special election.

As of Sunday, Oct. 26, over 4.5 million ballots had been cast, either by mail or in person, according to data from the California Secretary of State’s office. The office sent more than 23.2 million vote-by-mail ballots to registered voters in recent weeks.

Eligible voters who missed the regular registration deadline and thus did not receive a mail-in ballot have had the option to cast a conditional or provisional ballot in person. These votes are included in the Sunday tally.

According to Secretary of State data, just under 20% of registered voters in California had cast their ballots as of Sunday. Voter participation varied by county, with roughly 15% turnout in Los Angeles County, 22% in Orange County, 19% in Riverside County, and 14.5% in San Bernardino County.

Paul Mitchell, vice president of the firm Political Data Inc., shared on Monday that voter turnout is coming in faster than it did at the same point during last year’s presidential election. However, Mitchell noted that this might be because the current ballot contains only one item rather than multiple races or measures, which typically require more time for voters to consider before returning their ballots.

“We have a faster return of ballots than prior statewide elections. However, there’s not a way to say definitively whether this is because we’re on course to a higher turnout, or it’s that we’re just seeing people return their ballots more quickly,” Mitchell said. He also played a key role in drawing the new proposed congressional maps that would be adopted if Proposition 50 passes.

Proposition 50 is a mid-decade redistricting effort aimed at adopting new congressional maps for California. Supporters say the measure is necessary to counter gerrymandering efforts by Republicans in red states, who, encouraged by former President Donald Trump, are seeking to secure additional seats in the U.S. House to maintain GOP control after next year’s midterm elections.

Both Democrats and Republicans have accused each other of attempting to “rig” the elections through redistricting.

In recent years, a majority of California voters have shifted to voting by mail or dropping off their ballots at designated drop boxes, though in-person voting remains an option. Vote centers have already opened in counties where this is available, beginning Saturday.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, with polls closing at 8 p.m. Remember, if you are still in line when the polls close at 8 p.m., you have the right to remain in line and cast your vote.

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**Related:** Southern California’s guide to Prop. 50, the 2025 redistricting election
https://www.dailynews.com/2025/10/27/more-than-4-million-california-voters-have-sent-in-their-prop-50-ballots-so-far/

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