Fresno County registrar addresses concerns over multiple ballots amid strong early voter turnout

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The general election on November third is quickly approaching, and some Fresno County residents are taking action to get their completed ballots back in the mail or drop them off in person, much like Don Heflin did on Friday morning.

“For peace of mind, it’s a lot more secure to me to drop it off here than the mail so I feel good about that,” Heflin said.

Fresno County Registrar of Voters James Kus says the turnout is looking great, so far.

“We are over 50,000 ballots returned. I am hoping today will be right around the 60,000 mark,” Kus said. “So far, it’s been more by mail than drop box, but I think we are at a point where it will switch over very soon.”

For some of you, your ballot might be sitting on your kitchen counter, or you may have received more than one, possibly three. Kus said at least 15,000 voters have received a second ballot, describing it as a common issue.

“Whenever a voter updates their registration, name, address, or their parts. I am required by law to send them a new ballot,” Kus said.

Kus said only the most recent ballot issued to a voter will be counted.

“We won’t count that first one. We won’t process it, it has been marked void in the system, it gets held, it gets quarantined,” he said. “We have security processes to make sure that only one ballot is ever counted per voter.”

Voters like Heflin says he’s not worried about a miscount or confusion, reminding everyone that voting matters.

“I am proud to be an American and the fact that we get to do it,” Heflin said.

Kus urged voters to begin reviewing and completing their ballots early, noting this year’s ballot is longer than those used in the midterm elections.

“Start filling it out and taking your time to go through it because we have 14 state propositions, two local measures on every ballot so we have ended with a two-card ballot with a lot of stuff on it and it takes a while,” he said.

California is currently involved in a lawsuit over the validity of some mail-in ballots, and three Fresno County residents were recently arrested by the Department of Justice.

Kus said voters who want added assurance their ballot will be received can safely use official ballot drop boxes before Election Day. He also noted that 10 voting centers are scheduled to open Saturday, with hours extending into the late evening.

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