The number of mail ballots returned so far in California’s Nov. 4 special election to redraw the state’s congressional districts — an unexpectedly high early turnout for an off-year vote. Ballots from Democrats are outpacing those from Republicans and unaffiliated voters, according to a tracker by Democratic strategist Paul Mitchell, who helped draft the new district maps on the ballot. The pace mirrors early voting levels seen in the 2024 presidential race, when turnout was far higher, and comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and former President Barack Obama rally voters behind Proposition 50, the Democratic-led redistricting measure.
