Mailer being sent out to California voters causing confusion in voter registration

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A mailer telling voters they might not actually be registered to vote is causing confusion in the Valley and around the state. The Voter Participation Center has sent over four million letters to people in California telling them they do not appear to be registered to vote.

Fresno County Clerk Brandi Orth spent part of the day registering new US citizens to vote. She said a hundred people have already contacted her office with questions about their voter registration.

"Our voters have been contacting our office because they're receiving a letter in the mail that says they're not registered to vote. And several times it has information that is not correct-- whether it be their name or their address. Obviously, in many instances, they are registered to vote."

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla spoke at a naturalization ceremony in Fresno. His office has heard from tens of thousands of people about these letters. He said he hopes the mailers were sent with good intentions.

"To the extent the confusion it is causing out there, I want to let people know not to panic. Contact the county, contact the Secretary of State's office, and we'll make sure you're good to go."

Orth said there is an easy way to check your voter registration. On the Fresno County elections website, you can click on the "Fresno County Votes" icon.

"If you go online and you give us just a little bit of information about yourself you can pull up your record make sure that you're registered."

The Voter Participation Center said its mission is to "register and mobilize the rising American electorate." But you do not need to fill out the form VPC has sent you. You can always check with your local county elections office instead.

Secretary of State Padilla said causing confusion before an election is wrong.