Election Day is on November 5… yes, it’s tomorrow if you did not know, so if you have not yet, get out there and vote. Californians have several ways to ensure their votes count amid an influx of information.

In a media briefing on October 25, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of experts discussed the ways that Californians can vote.

Speaker

Joe Kocurek, Deputy Secretary of State for Communications

“We’re in a political environment where there’s a lot of unreliable information, and the number one question I get asked is: ‘Where do I vote?’” said Joe Kocurek. California, with over 22 million registered voters, has the largest voter base in the country.

For those planning to vote in person, finding a nearby polling place is key. Although online voter registration has closed, Californians can still register in person at their polling place or county elections office by providing ID, which allows them to vote on the same day.

“In-person registration is conditional with a provisional ballot, which means that the voter will go through the same eligibility auditing process we would with any other.” Kocurek explained. “Your vote will be counted once we have concluded the process.”

Californians, including those living out of state, can also vote by mail. Mail-in ballots can be sent to the voter’s county elections office, dropped off at a secure drop box, or returned to any local polling place. 

“As long as the envelope is postmarked on Election Day, November 5, and received by the 12th, it will be processed and counted,” Kocurek said. He advised sending mail-in ballots as early as possible if there are concerns about postal delays or using an official drop box or polling center, many of which open days or weeks in advance.

Ballots postmarked by November 12 but received after Election Day, along with provisional ballots, will be counted during the 30-day canvass period following Election Day. County officials are expected to finalize their counts by December 5, with the California Secretary of State’s Office certifying the results by December 13.

Kocurek reminded voters to sign the back of their return envelope, as it’s used to verify their identity. “We default to enfranchising people. If there’s a signature that isn’t there, or is different than your usual, your local elections office will reach out to you and attempt to rectify it.”

Voters with absentee ballots can still submit them in person at a drop box or polling center. If they make a mistake on their ballot, they can request a replacement or designate a representative to submit a vote-by-mail ballot on their behalf; both requests must be submitted to the local county elections office.

Californians can confirm their voter status and track their ballot online, via text, phone, or email. Additionally, the California Secretary of State’s Office provides voter hotlines and informational guides in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog, as well as TTY/TTD services for individuals with hearing or speech impairments.

“In California, we believe in democracy. We really work hard to ensure easy access and easy return of ballots,” said Kocurek. “We have a Voter Bill of Rights, and if anyone feels like these are being denied, they can reach out to us through our voter hotline or by email.”

Kocurek encouraged voters to plan their voting method. ““I think that’s especially important for younger voters, for whom most everything else can be taken care of on their phones, as opposed to this more old-fashioned way of finding their nearest polling place or using snail mail.”

“Whether you return the ballot in person, mail it or drop it off, if voters think about how they’re going to do it, they’re that much more likely to do it,” Kocurek added.

 

All images provided by Ethnic Media Services.