Dozens of stolen Prop. 50 ballots found in a homeless encampment in Sacramento

"Nearly 100 ballots for Proposition 50, believed stolen from mailboxes, were discovered at a makeshift encampment in Sacramento. Nearly 100 stolen ballots to decide the fate of the congressional redistricting measure, Proposition 50, were found this week scattered throughout a homeless encampment in Sacramento County, officials said, sparking an investigation. The ballots for the November special election were found among a large amount of mail and other debris discovered by Sacramento County sheriff's deputies Wednesday."

"The unused ballots were likely stolen from the mailboxes of voters in Sacramento, according to authorities. The California ballot measure would change congressional district boundaries and likely shift five more seats to Democrats in the U.S House of Representatives. The measure was drafted in response to a redistricting plan in Texas that was meant to give Republicans five additional seats in the house in hopes of protecting the GOP majority."

"On Thursday, county officials said the ballots have been voided and new ballots were mailed to affected residents, but an investigation is still ongoing as to how the stolen ballots and mail were found in the makeshift camp. Deputies discovered the trashed mail near Elder Creek and Mayhew Roads in Sacramento County while conducting a cleanup of a reported homeless encampment, officials said. Officials said the camp was vacant when deputies arrived, and no arrests have been made."

Nearly 100 unused ballots for Proposition 50 were discovered scattered in a makeshift homeless encampment in Sacramento. The ballots were found among a large amount of mail and debris near Elder Creek and Mayhew Roads while deputies conducted a cleanup. The ballots were likely stolen from mailboxes and appeared to be primarily from south Sacramento residents along Gerber Road. Deputies collected and secured the ballots, transported them to the county Department of Voter Registration and Elections, and county officials voided the recovered ballots and mailed replacements. No arrests have been made and an investigation into how the mail and ballots were taken is ongoing. Proposition 50 would change congressional district boundaries and likely shift five additional U.S. House seats to Democrats.

Read at www.latimes.com