SoCal Recall Election Polls Officially Open For Voters Saturday Morning
BUENA PARK (CBSLA) - With the California recall election just 10 days away, people who preferred to visit voting booths in-person got their chance as the polls officially opened Saturday.
The polls in Orange County officially opened at 8 am Saturday. At the Buena Park Community Center, signs to help voters navigate the building were put up.
"My family's from Cuba. We're not allowed to vote over there, and right here, it's a beautiful thing, even if we don't agree or anything on politics," voter Ricky Garcia said.
There are 31 locations in Orange County to vote, opened through Election Day on September 14.
Los Angeles County election officials said Saturday that 108 vote centers are open for voting.
The centers will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for in-person voting, or to return a completed vote-by-mail ballot.
All vote centers will follow current public health and safety guidelines, according to Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan.
The LA County Registrar said Friday's vote-by-mail numbers were over 1.2 million votes, while there have been 1,300 check-ins at vote centers Saturday as of 2:20 p.m.
To find a vote center or vote-by-mail drop box, or to access a sample ballot, go here.
All over the state, ballots were mailed out because of the pandemic, given voters the option to pass on the polls, but those showing up Saturday said they wouldn't dare not come out.
"Something's going on with the past election," said voter Jose Luna. "I just feel more comfortable coming in and voting in person."
"It's more comfortable and you feel more patriotic doing," Garcia said.
In both Los Angeles and Orange Counties, even more polling places will open Saturday and voters in both counties will be allowed to vote anywhere on any day.
"It used to be that we would drive all the way to Santa Ana and vote on the weekends before, but now they make it so easy. We can come whenever we're available," said vote Elizabeth Talbot.
Weekday, weekends, even a holiday, the polls will be open said poll worker Bob Janicki.
"We are here just in case because we want to give everybody an opportunity to cast their ballot no matter which way they vote," Janicki said.
