As an educational organization, it is always our joy to share with our fellow citizens things they need to know to make their voting experience more safe, secure and fulfilling.

Our “Vote Safe in 2022” article series is designed to answer any questions you may have, as well as alert you to information you never knew you were missing. We suggest you create a special folder to save them all for reference and sharing. They will also be available on our website.

According to federal law, once you are registered, you may not be removed from the rolls solely for failure to vote. You remain an “active voter” whether you vote or not.

However, federal law also mandates that voters who fail to vote in two consecutive federal elections be mailed a post card asking whether they are still residing where registered and want to remain on the rolls.

If that card is not returned by the voter, or comes back undeliverable, the registration must be moved to an “inactive” list.

“Inactive” voters are still eligible to vote. All they need to do is SHOW UP or MAKE A PHONE CALL (which is why Voter ID is so essential to prevent voter impersonation). But they will not automatically be mailed a ballot, as those on the active list.

Registrants who remain on the inactive list for two more consecutive federal elections with no further electoral activity (registration updates, petition signatures, signature updates, votes cast, response to election officials’ further outreach) must then be cancelled from the voter rolls.

EIPCa data research has proven that most counties in California do a less-than-adequate job of this voter roll maintenance, and at last conservative count almost half a million individuals who have moved out of the state or become deceased are still on the “active” list, many after decades of inactivity, and some having never voted at all.

Remember, those “voters” will have a ballot sent to their address of record, and with no voter ID requirement, extremely weak signature verification regulations, and legalized unrestricted ballot harvesting (we call it ballot trafficking), the opportunity for electoral chaos is obvious.

Ballot mailing begins no later than October 10. If you are registered, there’s one destined for your mailbox.

The next several parts of Vote Safe in 2022 series will discuss what you CAN and SHOULD do to make your vote COUNT.

EIPCa is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions are tax-deductible. https://www.eip-ca.com/donate/

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