Early voting for the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election began Monday, allowing voters to cast their ballots early through use of the Universal Voting Centers or Vote by Mail.
During the 29 days period preceding an election, California law allows voters to cast their ballot early thus accomplishing two goals: providing alternate options for voters may be unable to vote on Election Day, and allowing Vote by Mail voters to submit their ballot prior to the deadline.
“Any voter, from any precinct, can come in and vote early,” said San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum. “I encourage everyone to make their vote a priority. Don’t wait until Election Night when you might have to work late, fight traffic and search for parking. Just make the time to come by and vote.”
Monday also marked the first day that the Elections Office can begin mailing the official Vote by Mail ballots to voters. Slocum encouraged voters, “Keep a lookout for the arrival of your official ballot in the mail; it’s coming!”
If you are not signed up to Vote by Mail, it is not too late to join the 138,636 people in San Mateo County who already got a head start on Election Day by voting through the mail.
“Voting by mail simplifies your life, as voters can decide when and where they want to vote,”Slocum said. “Vote at work, at the kitchen table, or after you’ve put the kids to bed!”
Voters who wish to vote an early electronic or paper ballot can stop by either of our two Universal Voting Centers locations:
40 Tower Road
San Mateo, Ca
555 County Center, 1st Floor
Redwood City, Ca
To turn in your Vote by Mail ballot, simply drop it in the mail, stop by your local city hall (within San Mateo County), or bring it in to one of the Universal Voting Centers. If you forget to turn it in and Election Day arrives, you can drop the voted ballot off at any active polling place within the county – just make sure we get it before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
If you’re not registered as a Vote by Mail voter yet, hurry up! Get an application online at www.shapethefuture.org or call the Elections Office at 650-312-5222. The back cover of your Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet also has a form that you can return to request a Vote by Mail ballot.
Voters may also fax or mail a written request to Vote by Mail to the Elections Office stating: (1) voter’s full name; (2) voter’s San Mateo County residence address; (3) voter’s mailing address, if different from the residence address; (4) name and date of the election for which you want the Vote by Mail ballot; and (5) the voter’s signature. Requests can be mailed to 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402 or faxed to 650-312-5348. Requests must be received by the Elections Office no later than 5 p.m. on Tues., May 27. A postmark is not acceptable.
By the way, if you send in anything by mail, don’t forget that postage rates change to 42 cents beginning May 12.
“Voting has never been easier or more convenient,” Slocum said. “Take advantage of these opportunities and make every effort to vote early.”
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