SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KRON) — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order for every registered voter in California to get a mail-in ballot for the November election.

The governor made the announcement during his daily briefing on Friday.

He said they will also put together a plan for physical election locations for those unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the vote-by-mail setup.

The order is part of the state’s effort to maintain voter participation while reducing the spread of COVID-19.

This makes California the first state in the nation to send every voter a mail-in ballot for the upcoming election in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“To make sure we are reaching out to all registered, eligible voters and giving them the opportunity and choice not to feel like they have to go to a concentrated, dense environment where they feel their health may be at risk,” Gov. Newsom said.

The executive order states each voter will receive their ballot 29 days before the election, those who are military and overseas will receive ballots 45 days out.

“This November’s election is still slated to be a consequential election of our lifetime,” Padilla said.

State leaders say the election will not be vote-by-mail only. Election officials are hoping to gather volunteers to help out at some polling places. The governor says the state is working on a plan.

“The need in the next days and weeks, at the end of this month at the latest, to put together a detailed plan in physical locations that need to be set up,” Newsom said.

The secretary of state says California is well positioned to expand its vote-by mail systems, noting 75% of the state already receives automatic vote-by-mail ballots.

Voters should make sure their registration is up to date.

Latest Stories: