Los Angeles County election officials on Sunday warned against election interference after several mail-in ballots were burned and a voting center was vandalized, two days before voters cast their ballots in the California primary.
A staffer with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office noticed fire-related damage inside a ballot drop box outside the Department of Public Social Services in the Civic Center district in downtown Los Angeles, according to a statement from election officials. Preliminary information indicates the incident was isolated and involved a small number of ballots, occurring between the most recent scheduled collection and the following morning's retrieval.
The vandalism was discovered at a vote center located in Cesar E. Chavez Park in Long Beach. Voting operations were not disrupted, though officials did not provide details about the exact nature of the damage.
Election officials filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department. Dean Logan, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, said attempts to interfere with voting or election operations are taken seriously and that his office would continue working closely with law enforcement to safeguard the voting process.
The county is working to identify voters whose ballots were burned and will contact those voters to provide information about alternative voting options, including replacement ballots. Drop boxes close at 8 p.m. PDT on Tuesday.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican commentators and officials expressed concern about the incidents occurring so close to Election Day. Conservative voices on social media called for thorough investigations, arguing that any attempt to compromise ballot integrity undermines voter confidence in democratic processes.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, has previously voiced skepticism about election security measures. Some conservative observers have suggested that Sunday's incidents highlight vulnerabilities in the state's widespread use of ballot drop boxes.
Election security advocates across the political spectrum have called for vigilance and rapid response when tampering is discovered. Officials from both parties have acknowledged that isolated incidents can create disproportionate concern among voters if not addressed quickly and transparently.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic officials emphasized confidence in the security of California's electoral system despite Sunday's incidents. Logan said his office is committed to ensuring voters can participate with confidence and that robust protocols are in place to protect ballot integrity.
California Secretary of State elections guidance states that anyone who tampers or destroys an official ballot or drop boxes could face fines, imprisonment or both under state law. County officials noted that Los Angeles County ballot drop boxes operate on a regular collection schedule within a 29-day period leading up to Election Day.
Progressives have pointed to the state's extensive vote-by-mail infrastructure as evidence of its resilience. California has offered mail-in voting options for years, and election administrators have developed procedures to help voters whose ballots are affected by unforeseen circumstances.
What the Numbers Show
According to an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey released Saturday, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra holds a 6-point advantage at 28 percent over billionaire Tom Steyer's 22 percent support in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, trails at 21 percent, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has 12 percent support.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass holds a slight lead at 26 percent support compared with City Council member Nithya Raman at 25 percent, according to a University of California Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll released Thursday. Republican challenger Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, has 22 percent support.
The incidents involve a small number of ballots, according to county officials who described the events as isolated. Los Angeles County operates hundreds of ballot drop boxes and vote centers across its jurisdiction for major elections.
The Bottom Line
Los Angeles County election officials have reported what they describe as an isolated incident involving burned ballots at a downtown drop box and vandalism at a Long Beach vote center, two days before the California primary. Authorities have filed a police report and are working to notify affected voters about replacement ballot options.
The incidents occur as California holds competitive primaries for governor and Los Angeles mayor. Becerra leads the Democratic gubernatorial field while Bass maintains a narrow margin in the mayoral race against Raman with Pratt competitive among Republicans.
State law provides criminal penalties for tampering with official ballots or drop boxes. Election officials say they are coordinating with law enforcement to investigate both incidents and safeguard voting operations through Election Day.