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Ballot harvesting is the gathering and submitting of completed ballots by third-parties, like volunteers or workers, rather than by voters themselves directly to polling centers. It is a controversial voting practice that is illegal in most states — but not in California where Democrats legalized it and have promoted it for the past several election cycles.
While some Republicans are wary of ballot harvesting, Reform California is launching an ambitious statewide program to do ballot harvesting among conservative voters in a legal way.
Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California, says while he strongly opposes ballot harvesting, as long as it is legal and being used by Democrats, then Republicans should do it too or risk not winning elections.
“I want to ban ballot harvesting eventually, but until that time conservatives need to be smart and we need to use the same strategies Democrats are using and do them better in order to win in this state,” said DeMaio. “Whether we like it or not, ballot harvesting is legal so let’s make it our advantage,” he continued.
The campaign centers around hosting a number of “Barbeque, Beer and Ballots” events throughout the state and organizing volunteer deployments.
“We first tested ‘Barbeque, Beer and Ballot’ events in southern California in 2022 and 2025 and they were a huge hit and harvested a ton of ballots, so now we’re scaling them statewide in every target seat to make sure we win in 2026,” explained DeMaio.
“These ballot harvesting events make voting fun, safe, and secure - and they are a hit with Republican and conservative independent voters,” DeMaio adds.
DeMaio says that these events offer a barbeque and beer dinner, information on safe voting, answers to questions on candidates and an opportunity to hear from several candidates, and the option to turn in your ballot for safe delivery to your local elections office by Reform California — what DeMaio calls “ballot harvesting done right.”
Volunteers spent months hand-addressing invitations to target voters in every neighborhood — and volunteers are canvassing door-to-door with invites as well.
“We trust most Republicans and informed voters to turn in their ballots themselves, but we are using these fun social BBQ events we’ll give them the option to turn them in with us for safe delivery,” said DeMaio. “Ballots go in a lock-box and straight to the Registrar of Voters — we take election integrity very seriously,” he continued.
Reform California will also use the events to present DeMaio’s “Plain English Voter Guide” — a guide that gives a simple description of each ballot measure and scores candidates running for every office based on their positions on opposing taxes, fighting crime, improving schools, creating jobs, and more. You can access the guide HERE.
RSVP for a Ballot Harvesting Event Here
Barbeques and door knocking aren’t the only campaigns DeMaio and Reform California have up their sleeves. Reform, one of the largest grassroots organizations in the state, is built on its connection to the people — which they achieve largely via digital outreach and physical mail.
“We’re going to be using our systems to call, email, text, and run digital ads anywhere and everywhere we can to mobilize voters and get them to turn in their ballots,” said DeMaio.
“We also send out physical mailers informing key voters of the issues in the election and encouraging them to vote,” he continued. “And you know that our efforts are effective when the Democrats are already panicking.”
DeMaio says that all of these efforts together are threatening one-party control of California. That’s why Carl DeMaio and Reform California are asking for your help to sign up for these events or do what you can today to support their campaigns.
“Together, we can flip key seats and restore balance to the politics in this state,” DeMaio concluded.
OPTION 1: Join the Host Committee for "BBQ, Beer & Ballots" Events
Reform California does not have a budget to market invitations for the ballot harvesting events, so they rely on volunteers to sign up for one of the events and commit to helping market the event to their neighbors and friends.
Event volunteer co-hosts are asked to commit to bringing 5 PEOPLE to their event. Check out the full listing of events and sign up for one.
SIGN UP HERE: BBQ, Beer & Ballot Event Nearest You
OPTION 2: Organize Your Own Event
If you don't see an event near you, then Reform California needs your help to organize one in your area! They will train you on how to organize an event for 25 to 100 people at your home or place of business. If you are interested in organizing and hosting a ballot harvesting event, sign up on our volunteer page and we'll contact you to start the process.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE: Organize Your Own Ballot Harvesting Event
OPTION 3: CONTRIBUTE TO COVER BALLOT HARVESTING
If you can't join a host committee for one of our big ones or volunteer to host one on your own, we urgently need your help covering the costs of event venue rentals and food for all of the ballot harvesting events on our fall tour.
Can you chip in a contribution to help us execute this crucial ballot harvesting program in the November 2026 CA election?
Contribute Securely: Reform California's Ballot Harvesting Program to Win in 2026
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