The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump within the presidential election on November 5 is developing into an exhilarating one.
And that's not all that's at stake. Will California proceed to have two Democrats within the U.S. Senate? Or can a former baseball star grow to be the primary Republican since 2006 to win a statewide election and defeat a well-funded Democratic congressman? Voters across the state will determine whether to toughen the penalties for drug and theft offenses they eased on the ballot box a decade ago. They can even vote on a minimum wage, rent controls, lowering one other threshold for bond approval and major bond measures for schools and climate programs.
In the Bay Area, Oakland's mayor and Alameda County district attorney face recall elections. There are tough races for open seats including a South Bay congressional district, seats on the San Jose City Council and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and quite a few local school and tax measures are up for debate.
If you're just tuning in and excited to solid your vote in November, here's what you should know.
Q Am I registered to vote?
A You can check your voter registration status with the California Secretary of State at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. You will need your name, date of birth, and either your driver's license or Social Security number. If you do not need these and wish assistance, you’ll be able to contact the Secretary of State's office by email at elections@sos.ca.gov or by phone at (800) 345-8683. You may call your District Election Office. They will be reached by phone at (510) 272-6973 for Alameda, (925) 335-7800 for Contra Costa, (415) 554-4375 for San Francisco, (650) 312-5222 for San Mateo, and (408) 299-8683 for Santa Clara.
Q I’m not registered. How do I register?
A You can Register to vote online through the Secretary of State's office and your county election office. You should be a minimum of 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and resident of California, and never serving a jail sentence in a state or federal prison for a felony or have been declared mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
You will probably be asked to offer your name, date and native land, a California driver's license or identification card or other proof of residency, a house and mailing address, and make contact with information. Registrants can even be asked to point a preferred political party. Failure to accomplish that may prevent you from voting for certain parties' candidates in a U.S. presidential primary or for a celebration's central committee.
Q How long do I actually have to do that?
A Californians must register to vote a minimum of 15 days before Election Day to receive a mail-in ballot. For this 12 months's presidential election, October 21 is the last day to register.
Q Can I still vote if I forget to register by then?
A Same-day voter registration is offered if the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed. For most elections in California, you’ll be able to conditionally register to vote and vote using a provisional ballot at your county election office, a voting center, or a branch designated by your county election official in the course of the 14 days before and including Election Day. Provisional ballots are counted after election officials confirm that the voter is registered in that county and has not yet voted in that election.
Q I just turned 18, am I registered?
A Californians aged 16 or 17 can “Pre-registration” for online voting through the Secretary of State's Office. Anyone who does so will routinely be registered on their 18th birthday.
Q Did I register once I received my California driver's license?
A Eligible applicants for a California driver's license, identification card, or address change with the Department of Motor Vehicles are routinely registered to vote unless they opt out of automatic voter registration.
Q OK, I'm registered. How do I solid my vote?
A If you register before the deadline, a mail-in ballot will probably be sent to the mailing address you provided. After you mark your selection, place the ballot within the enclosed envelope and remember to sign it. You can mail it – no postage is required. It should be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county election office no later than 7 days after that date.
If you might be unsure whether your mail-in ballot will arrive in time, take it to any polling place within the state or to your county election office between 7 a.m. and eight p.m. on Election Day. Voter's Choice Act counties, which include Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Marin, Sonoma and Napa, can even have polling places and ballot drop boxes arrange to just accept ballots through Election Day. Be sure to notice posted hours and pickup times.
Q How do I discover after I actually have voted whether my ballot has been collected and counted?
A You can track the status of your ballot online on the Secretary of State’s office at california.ballottrax.net/voter/ and enroll for email or text alerts at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
Originally published:
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