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AP20:098

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2020
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra Issue Statement on Efforts to Protect Election Integrity

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla today issued a statement following discussions with legal counsel for the California Republican Party. The communication comes after the Attorney General and Secretary of State sent a cease and desist order to the California Republican Party following reports of unauthorized drop boxes being operated in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

“Despite their client’s rhetoric in the press, we’ve been in communication with legal counsel for the California Republican Party and they have committed to a number of significant concessions in their ballot collection activities,” said Secretary of State Padilla. “Among other things, they will not make available or condone the use of unstaffed, unsecured unofficial ballot drop boxes. This is an important step in stopping the voter confusion created by their ballot collection activities.”

“California will protect the integrity of the vote. We want to give all voters the confidence that their vote will be safeguarded and that it will count on Election Day," said Attorney General Becerra. “We will continue to closely monitor election-related activities across the state to ensure compliance with the law. We are continuing our ongoing investigation and are issuing subpoenas to obtain additional information about ballot collection activities. County elections officials are providing multiple safe, secure methods for voters to return their ballots.”

“We remind voters that they have ultimate control over how they return their ballots. If you see something, say something. Voters should report suspected election misinformation to their county elections office or to the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-345-VOTE (8683) or votesure@sos.ca.gov,” concluded Secretary Padilla and Attorney General Becerra.

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