Mojave, California Public Records

Law enforcement services in Mojave are provided by the Kern County Sheriff's Department. The department operates a local station in the city, with deputies responsible for responding to emergency calls, conducting investigations, and maintaining public safety. Crime statistics and arrest records for Mojave can be obtained through the Sheriff's Department, which works closely with the community to address local law enforcement concerns.

Mojave voters are served by the Kern County Elections Division, part of the Kern County Clerk-Recorder's Office, located at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301, phone (661) 868-3590, website www.kernvote.com. The Elections Division administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for Kern County, including voter registration, ballot preparation, polling place management, vote-by-mail processing, and official canvassing of election results. Because Mojave is an unincorporated community with no municipal government, residents do not vote in city council or mayoral elections; instead, they participate in Kern County Board of Supervisors elections (District 4 represents the Mojave area), California State Assembly and Senate races, U.S. Congressional elections, statewide offices, and ballot measures.

Mojave residents can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov, California's centralized voter registration portal managed by the Secretary of State. Online registration requires a California driver's license or ID card number. The voter registration deadline for elections is 15 days before Election Day; California also offers conditional voter registration, allowing eligible citizens to register and vote provisionally during the 14-day period before Election Day and on Election Day itself at designated locations. New voters and those who have moved must update their registration to ensure they receive the correct ballot for their residential address in Mojave. Acceptable identification for voter registration includes a California driver's license, California ID card, or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Kern County adopted the Voter's Choice Act in 2020, transitioning to an all-mail ballot election model. Every registered voter in Mojave automatically receives a vote-by-mail ballot approximately 29 days before each election. Voters can return their ballot by mail (postage-paid), drop it in an official ballot drop box located throughout the county (including locations in the Mojave area), or vote in person at a Vote Center during the voting period. Vote Centers are open for multiple days before Election Day, offering same-day voter registration, ballot replacement, accessible voting equipment, and language assistance. Mojave residents can find their assigned Vote Center and ballot drop box locations by visiting www.kernvote.com and using the polling place lookup tool, or by checking the Sample Ballot mailed to each household before the election.

In the November 3, 2020, general election, Kern County reported approximately 59% voter turnout, with 240,094 ballots cast out of 406,562 registered voters. In the November 8, 2022, general election, turnout was approximately 45%, with 167,000 ballots cast. For the November 5, 2024, presidential election, Kern County reported turnout of approximately 58%, with over 225,000 ballots cast, reflecting strong participation in the high-profile presidential race. Mojave's voting patterns generally align with eastern Kern County's more conservative-leaning electorate.

The November 3, 2026, general election will feature several significant races for Mojave voters. California does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 (the next Senate race is in 2028). The Governor's office is not on the ballot in 2026 (next gubernatorial election is 2026). However, all 80 seats in the California State Assembly will be on the ballot, including the district representing Mojave (currently Assembly District 33). All odd-numbered State Senate seats (20 of 40) will also be contested. At the county level, Kern County voters will elect members of the Board of Supervisors for certain districts (supervisors serve four-year staggered terms), along with countywide offices such as Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor-Recorder, Auditor-Controller, and Treasurer-Tax Collector, depending on the election cycle. Voters should check www.kernvote.com for the official list of races and candidates as the 2026 election approaches.

California election records are largely public under the California Public Records Act. Voter registration information, including names and addresses of registered voters, is available for purchase for political and research purposes, though certain personal information (birthdate, driver's license number) is redacted. Campaign finance records, including contributions and expenditures for state and local candidates and ballot measure committees, are searchable online through the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) at www.fppc.ca.gov for state races, and through the Kern County Elections Division for local races. Candidate filings, nomination papers, and statements of qualifications are public records available for inspection at the Elections Division office. Official election results, including precinct-by-precinct vote totals, are published on www.kernvote.com after each election and are considered public records. Mojave residents interested in running for office or accessing election data can contact the Kern County Elections Division at (661) 868-3590 or visit the office in person at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield.