Nearly two thirds of the 1.17 million registered voters in Orange County have already cast their vote this election cycle, despite Coronavirus restrictions and recent wildfires. 

Julie Leopo

An enterprising and award-winning photojournalist in Orange County and beyond. Leopo, as Voice of OC’s Director of Photography, has captured a wide array of photographs visually documenting the news and soul of Orange County local government and community. Her work has also appeared in Vice, KCET, Ed Source, The California Endowment and OC Weekly.

Subscribe now to receive emails letting you know about her latest work.

Beginning last month, I set out to see and photograph what this historic early voting process looked like.

I spent time photographing poll worker trainings at the Orange County Registrar of Voters. And last week I went back to document early in-person voting at the county registrar’s office, watching election workers counting ballots in the warehouse. 

At the Honda Center, which is the largest vote center in Orange County, voters have to go through metal detectors to cast their ballots indoors, or you can use the outdoor drive-thru mail drop off that is also available at this site. Once inside the supersite vote center, you are greeted by poll workers wearing masks and encouraging the use of hand sanitizer.

Dennis Chapman, 59, unloads ballots at the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Santa Ana on March 3, 2020. This is his 7th election participating. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
During a Sept. 25, election worker training, a poll worker sanitizes a voting booth after a mock vote at the voters of registrar. Sanitizing and social distancing will be implemented at all in person polling locations. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A voter drops off her ballot at an official ballot drop box in Santa Ana on Oct. 28, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A voter drops off her mail in ballot at the lobby of the registrar of voters. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A voter seeks assistance from a poll worker during his visit on Oct. 30, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Election workers prep ballots for the counting process on Oct. 28, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Election workers put away electronically sorted ballots in trays to be counted. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Election workers processing ballots received by the Orange County Registrar of Voters on Oct. 28, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.
Make a tax-deductible donation

About Voice of OC: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.