A voting festival to mail out ballots early and joyfully

With just days away from the November 4 Special Election, a non-partisan, community-centered festival looks to ensure that every Californian can vote freely, safely and without fear or intimidation.

On Sunday, We Are California and the LA Forward Institute are hosting a community festival at Magnolia Park, located in North Hollywood, to incentivize voters to turn in their mail-in ballots early. 

Governor Gavin Newsom launched the Prop 50 campaign in August in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott announcing his state would be redrawing its maps, effectively eliminating five Democrat-held seats. 

Now, three months later, millions of eligible voters will be able to vote on the measure, nicknamed the Election Rigging Response Act, which, if passed, will redraw the state’s congressional districts and “level out” the playing field for the 2026 midterm election. 

For those who have already received their ballot, the event looks to remind voters that early voting is a safe option. 

Completed vote-by-mail ballots can be dropped off at anypolling place or drop box location in the state, but voters can also mail their ballots as long as they are postmarked no later than November 4. 

The event on Sunday will also include live music by Los Jornaleros del Norte, a group of migrant musicians who for 30 years have accompanied marches and strikes in Los Angeles and authors of the song “La Cumbia de la Migra.” 

The event will also feature free food for the first 200 attendees, carnival games, face painting, booths from local businesses and community organizations and speakers from across L.A.

Those in attendance will also be able to hear speeches from first-time voters and local elected officials, including L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and LAUSD board member Kelly Gonez, among others. 

The event is organized as part of “Can’t Stop CA,” numerous community celebrations throughout the state. Organizers said these events aim to combat the silencing of voices and the confusion that tends to surround voting efforts, especially in communities of color. 

The idea behind “Can’t Stop CA” is that voting together, voting early and voting joyfully can transform civic engagement into a celebration of connection and pride. 

The event is free to the public and open to people of all ages.

The event will take place in Magnolia Park, 11455 Magnolia Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 91601, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.