Past Electoral Reforms Have Prepared California for Pandemic Challenges

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a plethora of challenges to our society, not the least to our democratic electoral system The upcoming November 3 General Election will test our ability to protect what is perhaps an American's most basic and fundamental right-the right to vote Throughout the nation, elections officials are turning to vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots as a safe and convenient alternative to in-person voting, but not without concerns for some jurisdictions' abilities to adjust their systems and adapt their processes With the logistical challenges associated with systemic change and implementation, mixed with a drumbeat of dangerous and baseless claims about voting and the aftermath of the election from some of the most prominent voices in the land, I am frankly concerned about the election going smoothly in a number of other states Thankfully, in California, we have more experience with physically distant voting With the implementation of additional reforms and security measures in recent years - and orders from the Governor requiring elections officials to send a VBM ballot to every registered active voter in every county - the Golden State is far better equipped to deal with the logistical challenges the pandemic poses this season