Marin activists urge early voting amid ballot concerns in Daly City

Thousands of residents in Marin County gathered at about 20 'No Kings' rallies on Saturday to encourage early voting and the use of ballot drop boxes ahead of the Nov. 3 elections, according to the Press Democrat.

The events were part of a nationwide 'day of action' with around 2,000 similar gatherings, said Patty Hoyt of Resist and Defend, one of the organizing groups in Marin.

Organizers emphasized using official ballot drop boxes rather than mailboxes due to concerns about delays or lost ballots. Marin County has 17 official ballot drop boxes.

The push for early voting intensified after reports of ballot theft in Daly City, where a stack of mail possibly containing ballots was stolen from a post office loading dock, noted Anita Bock, a rally organizer.

San Mateo County officials advised voters to track their ballots online through the Secretary of State’s Office to ensure their votes are counted.

Organizers also highlighted fears of voter suppression tactics, including ICE deployment in key districts, and promoted early voting as a way to counteract these efforts, said Pat Johnstone, chair of the Marin Democratic Party.

Participants described the rallies as get-out-the-vote events rather than protests, emphasizing the importance of the midterm elections for the country’s direction, according to local attendees.