This week, voters across California received suspicious text messages informing them that they had not submitted their ballots for the Nov. 4 statewide special election on redistricting.
The message may be official. It includes the voter’s name and address, as well as a link to the official website that provides information about early voting and ballot return locations by mall.
But it’s not coming from the state, and officials are urging caution.
The California Secretary of State’s office has received numerous reports from voters about “inaccurate text messages from Vote Now,” according to a news release.
“This has led voters to believe that their returned ballots have not been received and processed by county election officials,” Secretary of State Shirley Weber said in a statement. “To be clear, Ballot Now is not affiliated in any way with the California Secretary of State’s Office.”
Mr. Weber’s office told the Times that he did not know the intent behind the “Vote Now” text message and said, “We are still trying to get to the bottom of it.”
Ballot Now did not respond to the Times’ request for comment.
Where voters can get reliable answers to their election questions
Voters can obtain accurate information about elections and voting at their Secretary of State or county elections office. This list contains a complete list of county election offices.
Questions that can be answered on the Secretary of State’s website include:
How can I check my voter status? Once you have entered your personal information, you can check if and where you are registered to vote on the website, as well as confirm that your political party and language settings are correct.
How do I track my ballot? You can sign up and track your ballot through the state’s online site.
- By signing up for Ballottrax, voters will receive automatic updates when their county elections office mails their ballot, receives their ballot, tabulates their ballot, or when there is a problem with their ballot at the elections office.
- Updates are available in 10 languages including Spanish, Japanese, and Tagalog, and you can also receive voice alert updates by text message, email, or phone call.
Where can I return my ballot? Los Angeles County residents can find official mail-in ballot drop box locations or vote centers at .
How to report something suspicious
If you believe you are the victim of election fraud or witness election fraud, please file a complaint form or call the Secretary of State’s Office.
Please fill out, download and mail or call the office. English speakers can call (916) 657-2166 or (800) 345-8683. If you speak Spanish, please call (800) 232-8682.
Physical forms can be mailed to the California Secretary of State’s Elections Division, 1500 11th St., 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, or faxed to (916) 653-3214.
Los Angeles County residents are encouraged to call the Los Angeles County Register-Recorder/County Clerk call center if they have questions or concerns, said Mike Sanchez, a spokesman for the department.
The Registrar of Voters can be reached at (800) 815-2666. The phone number for voter center information is (800) 815-2666. Select option 1.
