BY: Jessica Millan Patterson, California Republican Party Chairwoman
This year will be the most important election of our lifetime, and we can’t leave any vote on the table. The California Republican Party is actively encouraging early voting, voting by mail, and even ballot harvesting – critical tools in today’s political environment. Thanks to California Democrats, these are the rules on the field, and we must play by the rules we’re given if we want to compete and win.
As Californians know all too well, it’s no longer Election Day – it’s election month, with another month of counting ballots after that. That’s why, since my first election in 2019, I’ve prioritized building a robust pre-Election Day voting effort. If we don’t work to beat Democrats at their own game, we risk getting left behind.
The California GOP has taken a hands-on approach to ensure that voters not only have confidence in the process but can also trust us with their ballots, knowing that we will safely deliver it directly to the County Elections Office. To build that trust, since 2019, we’ve developed and grown an Election Integrity operation that proactively monitors California’s elections, ensuring transparency and accountability, while strengthening voter confidence across the state.
A key part of this effort has been recruiting and training thousands of volunteers to serve as poll workers and observers at voting locations throughout California. We’ve also developed a robust volunteer lawyer infrastructure. In 2022, for example, we had volunteer lawyers positioned to monitor the election process, covering nearly 95 percent of the state. This effort is not slowing down—it’s only getting stronger as we head into November.
Our Election Integrity Hub and hotline serve as essential resources, providing voters with one-stop access to vital election information. Voters can learn about volunteer opportunities, track their ballots, report any irregularities, or simply gain a better understanding of how our election process works. All of this is easily accessible at CAElectionIntegrity.org.
Our ultimate goal is to give California voters confidence that their vote will be safe, secure, and counted no matter which legal method they choose to cast their ballot. In tight races that can be decided by just a few thousand or even a few hundred votes, and with the future of our state and nation on the line, high voter turnout is critical. The best way to ensure high turnout is by continuing to build trust through our Election Integrity initiatives. When voters have faith in the system, they’re more likely to engage and participate—making all the difference on Election Day.