Imperial County Begins Transition to Voter’s Choice Act Model Ahead of 2026 Election
EL CENTRO — Imperial County is preparing to adopt a new voting model under the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA), a system aimed at increasing voter access and participation through expanded voting options.
On June 10, 2025, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved the use of federal grant funds through the Local Assistance Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) to support the infrastructure required for the transition. The funding will help establish Vote Centers and other resources necessary for the county to operate under the VCA model.
Once implemented, Imperial County will become the 30th county in California to adopt the VCA. The model, originally introduced in 2017 and gradually expanded since, allows registered voters to vote in person for up to 10 days prior to Election Day, return ballots by mail, or use secure drop boxes starting 28 days before the election.
Although the county has not yet conducted an election under the new system, the June vote enables the Imperial County Registrar of Voters (ROV) to begin acquiring equipment, preparing logistics, and launching community engagement efforts ahead of the planned rollout for the June 2026 Primary Election.
what is the Voters Choice act model?
The California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA), established through Senate Bill 450 in 2016, was designed to modernize the state’s election system by offering voters more flexibility in how they cast their ballots.
Under the VCA model, participating counties are required to:
Mail every registered voter a ballot
Expand in-person early voting opportunities
Allow voters to cast a ballot at any Vote Center within their county
Provide secure ballot drop-off locations throughout the county
The model aims to increase voter participation by making the process more accessible and convenient. Implementation is optional, and counties must meet specific requirements including public consultation and the development of an Election Administration Plan before adopting the model.
“This is an important step in making voting more accessible and convenient for our community,” said Linsey Dale, Imperial County Registrar of Voters. Dale also noted that the county’s draft Election Administration Plan (EAP), which includes proposed Vote Center and Ballot Drop Box locations, is currently available for public review.
Over the coming months, county officials plan to host stakeholder consultations, public workshops, and a formal comment period before finalizing the EAP. The county is encouraging residents particularly seniors, individuals with disabilities, and Spanish-speaking voters to participate in the review process and offer feedback
Under the VCA model, all active registered voters will automatically receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot. In addition to voting by mail, voters will have the option to cast their ballot at any Vote Center within the county, regardless of their residence. Vote Centers will offer expanded services, including same-day voter registration, accessible voting equipment, extended hours, and multilingual assistance.
The county also plans to implement bilingual outreach and accessibility enhancements to ensure that all eligible voters are informed and able to participate.
The draft Election Administration Plan and related materials are available at www.Elections.ImperialCounty.org. Voters may also request information in accessible formats by contacting the Registrar of Voters at (442) 265-1060 or VoterSupport@co.imperial.ca.us.