Prop 50: The One Mistake That Could Make Your Simi Valley Vote Go Uncounted

County Registrar Shares Key Voting Tips Ahead of Nov. 4 Election

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — As Ventura County voters begin marking their ballots for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion is reminding residents to check their envelopes, sign carefully and return ballots early to ensure every vote counts.

“This is a Special Election, meaning it’s off the regular even-numbered-year schedule,” Ascencion said. “It might not have been on everyone’s radar, which is generating more questions. My team is happy to help provide information that will hopefully encourage everyone to participate using the most convenient method for each voter.”

The Registrar’s Office is also addressing key questions about vote-by-mail procedures, ballot tracking and the small punch hole on return envelopes — a design feature that lets election staff confirm envelopes are empty once ballots are removed.

The only measure before voters this fall is Proposition 50, a proposal that would temporarily transfer California’s redistricting authority from the state’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to the Legislature through 2030. After that, the independent commission would resume control following the next U.S. Census.

A “Yes” vote means the Legislature would draw new congressional maps beginning in 2026 and keep them in place until the next redistricting cycle. A “No” vote would leave the current commission-drawn districts unchanged.

Supporters say the change would allow California to counter gerrymandering seen in other states. Opponents argue it would reduce transparency and weaken the independent process voters approved when they created the commission in 2010.

Under the current map drawn after the 2020 Census, Simi Valley is part of California’s 26th Congressional District, which includes most of Ventura County — Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Westlake Village — and a small section of Los Angeles County.

From 1987 to 2013, Elton Gallegly represented Simi Valley in Congress. After the 2010 Census, most of the city was moved into the 25th District, represented by Steve Knight from 2015 to 2019, Katie Hill in 2019, and Mike Garcia beginning in 2020. A small section of Simi remained in the 26th District, held by Julia Brownley. Following the 2020 Census, redistricting reunited all of Simi Valley within the 26th, aligning it fully with Ventura County and removing it from Garcia’s 27th District.

If Proposition 50 passes, legislative maps could redraw those boundaries again. Preliminary drafts suggest Simi Valley might be linked more closely with Calabasas, Agoura Hills or Santa Clarita, depending on how population is allocated.

Ascencion’s office offered reminders for voters using vote-by-mail ballots. The small punch hole in each return envelope is intentional and ensures transparency during ballot handling. To keep votes fully private, voters can fold their ballots with the blank side facing out before sealing the envelope.

Voters who damage or stain their ballots can request replacements from the Elections Office or at any vote center. Even unreadable ballots can be duplicated by trained election workers to make sure every vote is counted.

If a voter forgets to sign or if their signature doesn’t match what’s on file, the Elections Division will send a notice so the voter can “cure” their ballot by completing a verification form or signing in person.

Completed ballots can be returned three ways: dropped into any official Ventura County ballot box, delivered to a vote center including the Elections Office at the Ventura County Government Center, or mailed — postage free.

On Election Day, voters are advised not to use the mail, since ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 4 and received by Nov. 12 to count. Ballots dropped off too late risk missing the postmark deadline.

A full list of drop box and vote center locations is available at Vote.VenturaCounty.gov.

Vote-by-mail voters can also track their ballots from mailing to counting through BallotTrax at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. Alerts are available by text, email or phone.

“With the vast majority of voters — as many as 90 percent — using vote by mail, it’s important they have accurate information to cast their ballot correctly and on time,” Ascencion said.

For election questions, visit Vote.VenturaCounty.gov, call (805) 654-2664 or email [email protected].