SACRAMENTO – (INT) – A controversy over those unofficial ballot drop boxes appears to be deescalating.

“Legal counsel for the California Republican Party have committed to a number of significant concessions in their ballot collection activities,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla Friday.

They will not make available or condone the use of unstaffed, unsecured unofficial ballot drop boxes, Padilla said.

The concessions came after the California Republican Party was sent a cease and desist order when unauthorized drop boxes showed up in Orange, Los Angeles and Fresno counties.

“County elections officials are providing multiple safe, secure methods for voters to return their ballots,” Attorney General Xavier Becerra pointed out.

The dark gray metal boxes have been popping up since early voting began near churches, gun shops and Republican Party offices, mostly in conservative areas affixed with a white paper label identifying them as either an “Official Ballot Drop off Box” or a “Ballot Drop Box.”

To the average voter, they are virtually indistinguishable from drop-off sites sanctioned by the state, which are governed by strict regulations intended to prevent the partisan manipulation of ballots.

Story Date: November 2, 2020