on file

Mitchell said there are more than 4,600 ballots in the 45th District that weren’t counted initially because of clerical issues, including ballots that weren’t signed, or signed with a signature that didn’t match the voter information on file.

Vote-by-mail ballot envelopes are checked to ensure they’re signed and the signature matches the signature on file.

If a voter’s signature is missing or does not match the signature on file, California law requires elections officials to notify that voter and give them an opportunity to fix the problem, which can also delay the process.

Up to 29 days before election day, county elections officials can begin processing and verifying all vote-by-mail ballots to ensure the ballot envelopes are signed and the signatures match the signatures on file.

If a voter’s signature is missing or does not match the signature on file, California law requires elections officials to notify that voter and give them an opportunity to fix the problem.