In previous elections, registered voters who wished to cast their vote by mail had to request an absentee ballot. This year, they will automatically receive a mail-in ballot. (Photo by Dawn Endico/Flickr)

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to mail a ballot to every registered voter in California ahead of the November general election.

With public health experts across the country predicting a second major wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the run-up to the election, Newsom said Friday he signed the order to ensure that California residents don’t have to risk contracting the virus to vote.

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Eli covers public health, transportation and state politics for the Bay City News Foundation, serves as the main editor of the Public Health and COVID-19 Information Hub and assists with Local News Matters' social media strategy. He has also previously covered local politics in San Diego County as well as college and professional sports across the Bay Area.