Nearly 100 stolen special election ballots found in Sacramento homeless encampment, officials say

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — A routine cleanup of a homeless encampment in Sacramento County has now turned into a criminal investigation.

Hundreds of pieces of stolen mail and about 100 pieces of voting material were found.

The blank ballots are for the upcoming statewide special election on Proposition 50, where voters will decide whether to redraw California’s congressional districts with the intent of adding Democratic seats in Congress.

Sheriff’s deputies say they were found scattered across the site.

They were collected and returned to the voter registration department, where election officials say the ballots were voided and won’t count.

New ballots will immediately be sent to affected voters.

The homeless encampment was abandoned by the time deputies arrived so investigators say there will be a lot of backtracking to figure out who’s responsible.

“It’s a big deal and it’s an undertaking. So this is something that will work in conjunction with the post office as well…” said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. “Whether it’s mail in or some other method, make sure you’re taking the steps to track it and making sure your vote counts.”

Every active registered voter in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 4 election.

If you don’t receive one, you should contact your county elections office.

The last day to register to vote is Monday, October 20.