Imperial County voters weigh in on Prop 50 ahead of Tuesday’s Special Election
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Californians are gearing up to make a big decision in Tuesday’s Special Election.
Proposition 50 is on the ballot, a measure that aims to redraw the state’s congressional districts, similar to recent redistricting efforts in Texas.
As of Friday, about 15,000 Imperial County residents had already cast their ballots out of roughly 95,000 registered voters.
“It’s very important for everybody to come to vote, not to stay at home,” said Elizabeth L. Obeso, one of many voters who showed up early to make her voice heard.
Voters are split on the issue. Some say the measure could give California more representation, while others worry it would hand too much power to state politicians.
“I was reading the news and following all the comments. It’s important to have more seats here in California,” Obeso said.
“It doesn’t seem right to me, because you’re giving more power to the politicians instead of the citizens,” added Jesús Mayoral, another local voter.
Election officials say voting has been steady so far, with more expected to come in before the polls close.
“We have already processed all of the ballots that we have received in the mail thus far, and we’re ready to accept more,” said Linsey Dale, Imperial County Registrar of Voters. “We’re on target and on schedule.”
Dale also reminded voters to sign their vote-by-mail envelopes to make sure their ballots are counted.
“If you don’t sign it, it will be rejected,” she said.
About 25 polling stations will be open across the Imperial Valley from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Polls close Tuesday at 8 p.m., and that’s when the first results will start to come in. To find your polling place, visit the Imperial County Elections Office website.