SANTA ANA, CA – Voting in the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election has begun. Ballots were mailed to all active registered voters in Orange County earlier this week.
Voters will have four options to cast a ballot during this election:
1. Mail the ballot on or before Election Day (no postage required). For mailbox locations visit ocvote.gov/mail
2. Use one of 124 secure ballot drop boxes or three ballot drop off locations in Orange County. For locations visit ocvote.gov/dropbox
3. Drop off the ballot in-person at any Vote Center in Orange County. For location information and hours visit ocvote.gov/votecenter
4. Vote in-person at any Vote Center in Orange County.
The Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana also has a ballot drop box and is available for all voter services for the 2025 Statewide Special Election during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit ocvote.gov/about for more information.
Starting Saturday, October 25, 2025, 32 Vote Centers will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 31, 2025. Starting Saturday, November 1, 2025, through November 3, 2025, 66 Vote Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Election Day, all Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters can also call our Voter Hotline at 888-OCVOTES or 888-628-6837 for more information.
Other details about the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election can be found on the Orange County Registrar of Voters website (ocvote.gov/elections).
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About the Registrar of Voters:
The Registrar of Voters is responsible for conducting elections in the County of Orange, the fifth largest voting jurisdiction in the United States with 1.9 million registered voters. We are a County agency, which receives funding from the County’s General Fund and periodic reimbursement from the federal government, the State of California and local jurisdictions. Read more >>
California’s Proposition 50, on the ballot for the November 4, 2025 special election, proposes a temporary redrawing of congressional district maps to favor Democrats. It’s a direct response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in states like Texas. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros of Proposition 50
- Counteracts Republican Gerrymandering
- Supporters argue Prop 50 is a necessary response to GOP-led redistricting in states like Texas, which aims to flip Democratic seats to Republican ones.
- Protects Democratic Representation
- The measure could shift up to five GOP-held seats in California to Democrat-leaning districts, helping maintain Democratic control in the U.S. House.
- Temporary Measure
- The redistricting changes would only apply to the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, after which the independent redistricting commission regains control.
- Voter Empowerment
- Prop 50 puts the decision in the hands of voters, not politicians, allowing Californians to approve or reject emergency maps.
- Democratic Safeguard
- Advocates say it’s a way to preserve democracy by ensuring fair representation amid national partisan redistricting battles.
Cons of Proposition 50
- Undermines Independent Redistricting
- Critics argue it reverses voter-approved reforms from 2008 that created California’s nonpartisan redistricting commission, risking politicization of the process.
- Sets a Dangerous Precedent
- Opponents, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, warn that “fighting fire with fire” could lead to a national redistricting arms race, eroding democratic norms.
- Partisan Power Grab
- Some view Prop 50 as a Democratic-led gerrymander, designed to eliminate Republican seats and consolidate power.
- Disrespects Voter Will
- Moving districts like Rep. Ken Calvert’s from the Inland Empire to Los Angeles County is seen by critics as disregarding long-standing voter representation.
- Expensive and Divisive
- With over $215 million raised by both sides, Prop 50 has become one of the most expensive ballot measures in California history, fueling deep political division.