Voting in full-swing at San Luis Obispo County polling places, more than 117,000 ballots already received

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- On the eve of Election Day, voting is in full swing across San Luis Obispo County.

On Monday morning, San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong reported there had already been 117,000 ballots cast.

The number represents 64% of all registered voters in San Luis Obispo County, and is a huge jump from the numbers of ballots that are normally received the day before an election.

"During a typical election, at most we might have 60,000 ballots counted," said Gong.

Over the weekend, the county opened Voting Service Centers at 23 different locations.

Registered voters are being allowed to vote in person during a four-day period beginning this past Saturday and concluding on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.

"I'm super amazed by how many people I see," said Lauryn La Dux moments after casting her vote at the SLO County Government Center. "This year really feels different in terms of voting. I feel a lot more people are coming out to the polls and voting. It's really awesome that people are using their voice because there's no time than now that's more important to do that."

On Monday morning, Gong reported no major issues.

"Things have went very smoothly," said Gong. "I have a whole team of folks who are monitoring all of the technology and communications that are occuring between this office and those locations, and everything has been operating very well."

While Monday's operations had no major issues, there was a situation that occurred over the weekend in San Luis Obispo.

ProPublica reported there was a complaint about possible voter intimidation and voter suppression at the Octagon Barn, which is serving as an official Voter Service Center.

"What it appears is that a campaign rally, a caravan if you want to call it that, where they were going to go from the north to south 101," said Gong. "They navigated throughout (San Luis Obispo), ended up on the road to the Octagon Barn. There were quite a few vehicles. That was a concern for our election workers at the Octagon Barn. They did call the authorities, who helped assisted them to get back onto the freeway."

Gong described the situation as an "isolated incident" and added he is unaware of anyone who was not able to cast a ballot. in terms of we don't any voters that we're able to cast their ballots. It was timely enough that there was plenty of time for voters to still make the location there and be able to cast their ballots."

"I reported out what I did to the authorities, they reported back to what they had, and I would report that the case is closed," said Gong.

Voters are able to cast ballots at any of the Voter Service Centers instead of assigned polling places.

In addition, to the Voting Service Centers, ballots are also being accepted at 19 official dropbox locations.

Vote by mail also remains active. Voters are still able to mail in ballots, which can be received 17 days after Election Day and remain eligible to be counted.

More information on San Luis Obispo County elections, visit the county's election webpage.