San Diego County, California

The U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to 57 of California's 58 counties demanding officials help verify the citizenship status of voters flagged on a federal list of roughly 20,000 names, threatening potential criminal prosecution for tabulating ballots from noncitizens. San Diego County, given 48 hours to respond regarding 1,709 flagged voters, said it is "evaluating next steps" rather than committing to the request. The move follows a DOJ lawsuit against Los Angeles County and the Secretary of State after they declined to set aside the flagged ballots. California officials call the list error-ridden and the effort election interference, while critics say it may violate a federal "quiet period" rule barring systematic voter list reviews before elections.

San Diego County voters face three measures this Election Day. Measure A would amend the county charter to create an independent ethics commission, add independent budget and program auditor roles, and raise supervisor term limits from two to three four-year terms, retroactively benefiting current board members. Measure B would impose a 0.5% countywide sales tax, directed mostly toward healthcare, nutrition, and family services, with a smaller share for Tijuana River Valley sewage cleanup and public safety, raising an estimated $400–450 million annually. Measure M authorizes a $3.5 billion school bond for San Diego Unified facility repairs without raising property tax rates, requiring 55% voter approval to pass.

San Diego County's Registrar of Voters is encouraging residents to vote early for the November general election. Officials sent 1.8 million reminder postcards to voters who had not yet returned ballots as of Oct. 16. Early voting helps speed ballot processing for election night results and reduces lines at in-person vote centers, which open in phases, with some opening Saturday and the rest on Oct. 31.

Voters can return ballots by mail, at any of more than 150 drop boxes countywide, or at vote centers starting Saturday. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10. Drop box and vote center ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Encinitas is pursuing an agreement with the San Diego Rescue Mission to reserve up to 12 beds for its homeless residents at the South County Lighthouse shelter in National City, more than 30 miles away. The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 16 to pursue the deal after Vista signaled it wants full use of the Buena Creek Navigation Center, a shelter the two North County cities had shared since 2024. Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers called the arrangement more financially responsible than the roughly $715,000 the city spent on its previous Vista beds, and said it is meant to be temporary until more North County shelter capacity exists.

National City Councilmember Jose Rodriguez opposes the plan, arguing wealthier Encinitas is shifting responsibility onto a financially strained community. National City Mayor Ron Morrison is less concerned, noting the 162-bed shelter already serves a regional population, including about 30 Encinitas residents over the past year. The Rescue Mission says it hopes to open a new Escondido shelter that would eventually absorb the reserved beds. The dispute reflects broader tension over how San Diego County communities share homelessness costs and resources.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a batch of housing bills aimed at speeding up residential construction, though most are expected to have a modest effect in San Diego, often considered an easier place to build than other parts of California. Among the changes: lower impact fees for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) over 750 square feet (SB 1117); narrower rules easing construction of for-sale townhouses on vacant single-family lots (SB 1116, AB 1751); a requirement for large cities like San Diego to designate high-density "transit-hub districts" allowing taller buildings near transit (AB 2074); and a mandate for cities to provide upfront, non-binding infrastructure fee estimates to developers (SB 1014).

The most consequential local legislation, SB 344 and SB 958, clears environmental and height-related legal hurdles for the Midway Rising megaproject, which could break ground next year. Plans include a 16,000-seat arena and 4,254 apartments — a regional record — with roughly 2,000 designated as subsidized housing, far surpassing the county's current largest affordable complex.