Over 3 million people voted before Tuesday in Los Angeles County and Orange County has already seen a historic turnout on Election Day.
California has seen record-shattering early voting, with over 12.8 million people already casting their ballot just days before Election Day, officials say. Considering there were 14.6 million total votes cast in 2016, which was the highest ever in a California election, the numbers are pointing towards a historic turnout.
The state’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 proved successful with large portions of voters using their mail-in ballots–which all registered state voters received—or avoiding large crowds by taking advantage of polling stations that opened early.
However, the novelty of using major sporting venues and theatres as polling stations across L.A. has not only brought out more voters on Tuesday but has also streamlined the experience.
I voted at Dodger Stadium and got my Dodger Stadium sticker. #VOTE pic.twitter.com/mG7E3Jy71k
— crzblue Emma Amaya (@crzblue) November 2, 2020
Voters at the Dodger Stadium saw almost no lines, had great views, and in some cases, were serenaded by a mariachi band.
#Dodgers stadium on #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/8IiwJaQyYx
— Sam Levin (@SamTLevin) November 3, 2020
More than 22 million people are registered to vote in California, the highest percentage heading into the election in the past 80 years, according to the secretary of state’s office.
In Los Angeles County, almost 3,187,591 returned ballots cast on Election Eve, with 146,558 of them from in-person voters, according to the county registrar.
Big numbers on Election Eve. 146,558 voters at in-person, early voting sites + 2,651,717 returned mail ballots. That outs us at 3,187,591 ballots cast through today — 55.6% voter turnout. Expect a busy day of voting tomorrow. #VoteSafe2020 pic.twitter.com/wxpTuvJ3Ty
— Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) November 3, 2020
Orange County, which is the fifth largest voting jurisdiction in the United States, saw a high turnout on Tuesday just hours after opening voting centers. The Registrar of Voters for Orange County Neal Kelley said, “We have just passed the total turnout for the 2008 presidential general election. But if you look at 2016, we have hit the total number of ballots cast in that election as well. And then just recently, in 2012, we hit that number last night also. So far, [we are seeing] historic numbers going back to ’08.”
In-person voting today shot up from 27,643 at 11 a.m. to 54,538 as of 3 p.m.
As of 3 PM today, 54,538 voters have voted at a Vote Center in Orange County. Since in-person voting started on 10/30, 226,548 voters have taken care of their voting needs at a Vote Center. Visit https://t.co/K02gpcYL8b #ocvote2020 #ocvotecenters2020 #protect2020 pic.twitter.com/TdLDrsVAmV
— OC Registrar (@OCRegistrar) November 3, 2020
[Featured Image: Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk via Twitter]