Democratic Socialists of America LA Chapter Published Ballot Collection Guide in 2022

The New York Post reports that the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America published a ballot collection guide in May 2022 that remains publicly available online. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for volunteers, including suggested scripts asking voters to cast ballots immediately and pressing them to do so if they hesitate. It instructs volunteers to tell voters that having ballots collected prevents them from being "lost in the mail" and to complete the ballot envelope designation identifying themselves as "Volunteer." Under California law, voters may legally designate another person to return a completed mail ballot on their behalf. The article notes that critics argue the practice exposes voters to potential pressure or undue influence, while supporters say it helps increase voter participation among those with difficulty returning ballots themselves. The Post interviewed residents in areas with high voter concentrations, some of whom reported frequent voter registration outreach but could not recall details about their registration or ballot handling.