Tulare County is preparing for Election Day

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — In the South Valley, the Tulare County Registrar of Voters is preparing for Election Day on Tuesday.

However, the county is the only one in the region that does not use vote centers, meaning access to early in-person voting is limited.

Dozens of cars and people filled the parking lot and lobby of the Tulare County Registrar of Voters Monday.

Early voting began last week at their Akers location.

Over 1,000 people voted in person and tens of thousands dropped their ballot in a mailbox or ballot box.

As of Monday, over 61,000 people in Tulare County voted early by mailing in their ballots.

The Tulare County Registrar of Voters says it has seen an increase in younger voters this year, some even voting for the first time.

“Many people are interested in voting for this election in 2024. It's an important presidential election and I think that's why we're already seeing greater voter turnout. That’s why I want to encourage people to get out and vote early,” said Tulare County Registrar of Voters Michelle Baldwin.

Jose Barajas Galindo is one of the first voters.

Barajas Galindo has lived in the United States for decades but recently became eligible to vote.

“Today is special because I became a citizen in 2022 and when you raise your right hand, you promise to vote,” Barajas Galindo said.

“So I feel good as a new voter.”

Dorothy Strange also casts her vote early.

She says it is every citizen's civic duty to cast their vote.

“As a citizen of this country, it is your job to vote. “You can’t complain about the politics of this country if you don’t actively make your voice known,” Strange said.

Tulare is the only county in our part of Central California that does not participate in the Voters Choice Act, which allows counties to set up vote centers up to 11 days before an election.

The district says it lacks the resources and funding.

Also, it is difficult to find websites that can stay open every day.

“We are having a hard time finding places to accommodate us for these 10 days because we use many churches as polling places and cannot use them on Sundays,” Baldwin explained.

On Election Day, there will be 15 voting locations and 39 polling stations where people can vote in person and have their questions answered.

Locations are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A list of polling locations throughout Tulare County can be found by clicking here.

To view a list of ballot drop box locations in Tulare County, click here.

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