It’s the day before the November 3 election, and final preparations are underway.
Supplies are being distributed to Field Techs, back up Election Officers are being secured for the polls, and final training for the Election Day call center was conducted. Election Materials Courier routes are finalized, and assignments have been distributed to all participants in the process.
Categories: Election Day/Night · Elections Office · Poll workers · Polling place · Uncategorized
Tagged: dock teams, Election couriers, Election Day, election day supplies, election officers, preparation
The Secretary of State sent an advisory to county elections officials today, notifying us that a petition circulating to make Election Day a holiday failed to obtain the required amount of voter signatures.
Here’s the actual text from the petition:
ELECTION DAY HOLIDAY. INITIATIVE STATUTE, Declares a state holiday on
Election Day – the Tuesday following the first Monday in November during men-numbered
years. Sum- of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on
state and local government: Increased state costs once every two years of up to $20 miIlion.
(Initiative 08-001 3.)
Want to learn more about the initiative process? Check out this link from the CA Secretary of State’s website!
Categories: Campaigns/Political parties · Election Day/Night · legislation
Tagged: Election Day, election day holiday, initiatives, petitions
We’re still recuperating a bit from the Tsunami that was Tuesday. Here’s some pictures of yesterday’s poll opening process for you to enjoy while we catch up on our administrative tasks and get the Canvass started.
If you’re looking for results, go to RaceTracker at http://www.shapethefuture.org/elections/results/november2008. We’ll be posting updates to the results as we wrap up ballot processing, and certification of results will come within the next 28 days.
But that’s all part of the Canvass, which we’ll discuss in a bit!
In the meantime:
Categories: Election Day/Night · Elections Office · Poll workers · Polling place · Voting · eSlates
Tagged: canvass, Election Day, poll opening, poll pictures, voting pictures
San Mateo County polls opened this morning for the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election. Before you head out to vote, make sure to follow the steps we outlined in yesterday’s post!
Checking your polling place location can save a lot of hassle in the end. There are several polling locations that changed for this Election, so it’s important to verify where you’re supposed to be voting.
If you’re near San Mateo or Redwood City and don’t have time to get to your own precinct, come to one of the Universal Voting Centers. Located at 555 County Center in Redwood City and 40 Tower Road in San Mateo, the Universal Voting Centers can accommodate any San Mateo County voter from any San Mateo County precinct.
For example, if I am normally vote at precinct #1234 but I can only get to the 555 County Center voting location before 8pm, I would simply give my information to the helpful poll worker. The poll worker would in turn give me an access code to the eSlates that allowed me to vote the ballot options for precinct #1234.
If Jane Smith was from precinct #5678, and went to 555 County Center also, her access code would allow her to vote for the ballot options for precinct #5678.
Get to the polls today to vote! They’re open until 8 p.m. After that, check out the election results on our Results Portal!
Categories: Election Day/Night · Elections Office · Polling place · Training · Vote counting · Voting · Web Stuff We Like · eSlates · early voting
Tagged: Election Day, June 3 Election, Statewide Direct Primary, Voting, voting locations
Today isn’t just Monday; it’s the day before Election Day. Before you head out to the polls to vote in the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election tomorrow, here are some friendly tips to help make sure you have a smooth voting experience.
By now, you’ve probably already made sure that you’re registered to vote. You can verify your registration status by visiting our website at www.shapethefuture.org.
Second, confirm your polling place address! Polling places can and do change periodically, so make sure you know where you’re supposed to go before you head out. There are three ways to check your polling place location:
Third, make sure you know how and what to vote. The “how” is easy. Our website has a microsite dedicated to instructing the public on the eSlate electronic voting machines. This history of the machines, step by step instructions on how to vote on them, and a short video presentation are all available online to help you understand the eSlates. You can visit www.shapethefuture.org/eslate to check out the microsite.
If you don’t want to vote on the eSlate, vote paper. Paper ballots will be available at the polling places, and Vote by Mail ballots will be accepted at the polling place if you didn’t have time to mail it before.
“We want voters to be pro-active,” said San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum. “If voters take a few minutes to verify their information and learn how to cast a ballot, polling place operations will run more smoothly, every vote will count and we can limit confusion, long lines and errors.”
The “what” part of this third step is a little more involved. The Sample Ballot you received in the mail has information about the propositions and measures applicable to your voting precinct. If you can’t find your Sample Ballot, we also have them posted online at http://www.shapethefuture.org/elections/June2008/eng_sampleballots.asp. A number of excellent nonpartisan resources are available to help voters make informed choices. We recommend:
Take time to read your options and cast an informed vote. Don’t forget – you don’t have to mark every contest to vote.
“Come prepared—do your homework!” Slocum said. “Mark your sample ballot and bring it to the polls with you. It will save you time and shorten the wait for your fellow citizens.”
Last tip – bring identification if you’re a first-time voter. In accordance with California law, first-time voters will be required to show identification at the polling place on Election Day. There are 30 acceptable forms of identification, which are listed on the Elections website at www.shapethefuture.org/elections/law_changes.asp.
Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to visit www.shapethefuture.org for answers, or contact us directly at (650) 312-5222 or registrar@smcare.org.
Categories: Ballots · Campaigns/Political parties · Election Day/Night · Elections Office · Outreach · Poll workers · Polling place · Results · Shape the Future · Voter registration · Voting · Web Stuff We Like · eSlates
Tagged: Election Day, June 3 Election, Statewide Direct Primary, voting tips
With 90 degree or higher temperatures, it is hard to think of anything but enjoying the weekend posted in front of an air conditioner or outdoors beneath the blazing sun at one of the many events going on around the Peninsula.
Between San Carlos’ Hometown Days, Burlingame ’s Day on the Green, San Mateo’s Immigrant Day Festival, and Bay to Breakers, there is definitely no shortage of activities for this weekend. But don’t let the excitement of the weekend cause you to forget about a very important deadline coming up on Monday.
Monday, May 19, marks the last day to register or re-register to vote in the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election. If you are a new voter, have moved, changed your name, or wish to change your party affiliation, now is the time to register to vote.
Want to check your voter registration status? Visit the Elections Office website at http://www.shapethefuture.org/voters/voter_status.asp. The registration status page will tell you whether or not you are registered to vote, and if you are, will tell you where your polling place is located. Keep in mind, however, that polling place locations are selected about 40 days before each election. They may change even as late as up to the day of the election. Please check the site again before going to the polls. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Categories: Election Day/Night · Elections Office · Polling place · Shape the Future · Vote By Mail · Voter registration · Voting
Tagged: check voter registration, Election Day, polling places, register to vote, registration status, Voter registration
Poll worker classes for the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election begin tomorrow, but resources are available now to anyone wishing to brush up on Elections Operations ahead of schedule. On the Elections website, www.shapethefuture.org, are a number of poll worker tools that can aid in the preparation of Election Day.
In addition to online training registration and schedule availability, various handbooks are available such as the Election Officer Handbook, eSlate Operations Guide, and the Opening and Closing flip books. Past issues of the POLLcat, the Poll Worker newsletter that includes news and event information as well as useful operations tips, can also be found on the Poll Worker resource page.
Other information available online includes candidate guidelines, political party descriptions, sample ballot and voter information pamphlets, and voter registration options.
Categories: Campaigns/Political parties · Elections Office · Poll workers · Shape the Future · Training
Tagged: candidate resources, Election Day, political party information, Poll workers, resources, Sample Ballot, Training
Over 500 poll workers are still needed for the June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election. We need your help spreading the word!
We know it’s a long day, but your help is essential in maintaining the integrity of the San Mateo County elections process. Being a part of the elections process has made some great memories for some of our current poll workers. Share the experience by inviting a friend or family member to join you on Election Day!
There are a couple ways to register: 1) go online to www.shapethefuture.org, 2) call 650-286-2810, or 3) send an email to pollworkertraining@smcare.org.
Categories: Election Day/Night · Elections Office · Outreach · Poll workers · Polling place
Tagged: Election Day, elections, help wanted, Poll workers, polls
Understanding your voting options can be hard enough during a regular election, but a Special Congressional Open Primary can be even more confusing. We want to make sure you’re prepared when you head to the polls tomorrow. Remember … smooth voting takes preparation.
Verify your registration status for voting in this election by visiting the San Mateo County Elections website. The deadline to register to vote in the April 8 Special Congressional Open Primary was March 24.
While you’re online, confirm your polling place! Over 60 locations were changed prior to the Nov. 2007 election in order to comply with accessibility, electrical and space requirements. If you can’t make it to our website, check the back cover of your Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. You can also find polling place info at the League of Women Voters website.
Brush up on how to vote. Instructions on how to use the eSlate voting machine can be found online, in the Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet, and at the polling place.
“This is a perfect opportunity for voters who have never voted on the eSlate voting system to do so!” said Slocum. “With only one contest on the ballot in the Special Congressional Open Primary Election, it takes very little time to vote. Voters who haven’t tried the eSlates as yet, will discover just how easy it is to use but shouldn’t hesitate asking for help if they need it,” Slocum said. “Our poll workers are more than happy to help!”
When you head to the polls, bring ID if you are a first-time voter. Over 30 forms of id will be accepted, including a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, student ID, government-issued check, or utility bill showing your name and address.
If you are a Vote by Mail voter, and you haven’t mailed in your ballot, plan to drop off your Vote by Mail ballot at the Elections Office or any polling place in San Mateo County within the 12th Congressional District. We can’t count your vote if it isn’t in on time, so drop it off in person at any of the following locations by 8 p.m. on Election Day:
Postmarks don’t count!
Categories: Ballots · Campaigns/Political parties · Election Day/Night · Poll workers · Polling place · Shape the Future · Vote By Mail · Voter registration · Voting
Tagged: ballot, Election Day, Polling place, Tips, Vote By Mail, voting info
To be honest, it’s too early to say whether this will be a jaw-dropping record voter turnout in San Mateo County. After having spent most of the day out at the polls, we can’t say we’ve seen yet the kind of lines documented in San Francisco by the Chronicle.
It may have something to do with the fact that nearly 37 percent of our voters Vote by Mail permanently, and many more requested Vote by Mail ballots for this election only.
Nevertheless, there has been a steady stream of voters coming in and out of polling places everywhere. At many moments, all the eSlate voting booths in a precinct were occupied.
“It’s been steady all day, but nothing overwhelming,” said Fern Lucero, a poll worker at First Presbyterian Church in Burlingame.
So we’ll let you be the judge as the minutes whittle down to the close of the polls. In the meantime, we’ve got some pictures and some thoughts from some poll workers to keep you busy until the results start coming in at 8:05 p.m.
At Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Daly City:
“So far, we have more people that came than during all of November, and it’s only 9:15.” – Hugo Palacios, poll worker at Woodrow Wilson.
At Spruce Elementary School in South San Francisco:
“I like this. I could do this all the time.” – Amanda Dougherty, student poll worker at Spruce Elementary.
More to come; off to catch the last half-hour at the polls!
Categories: Election Day/Night · Poll workers · Polling place · Voting · eSlates
Tagged: Daly City, Election Day, South San Francisco, Spruce Elementary, voter turnout, Voting, Woodrow Wilson Elementary
The opinions and comments expressed within the Inside Elections blog are those of the individual poster. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the San Mateo County Elections Office. Comments that are considered inappropriate may be removed.
