As a result of a large number of contests in the Nov. 8 Presidential General Election, San Diego County registered voters will for the first time get a two-card ballot. Contests will be listed on the front and back of each page. Considering the length of the ballot and the traditionally high turnout for presidential elections, the Registrar of Voters is urging voters to plan ahead and save time by requesting a mail ballot.
To vote in the comfort of your own home, you must request a mail ballot for the Nov. 8 election by Tuesday, Nov. 1. By state law, applications must be physically received by the Registrar of Voters no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1. They cannot be simply postmarked on that date.
There are several ways to apply:
Complete the application on the back of the sample ballot and voter information pamphlet. Download an application from the Registrar of Voters’ website. Email, fax or mail a letter to the Registrar of Voters. The request must include your name, residence address, name and date of the election, the address where the ballot is to be mailed, and your signature. If mailing your request, send it immediately. Call 858-565-5800. The Registrar of Voters is now accepting mail ballot requests over the phone. The request can be only for the current election and the registered voter must make the call personally. Applications and letters can be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 858-694-2955 or sent to the Registrar of Voters at P.O. Box 85520, San Diego, CA 92186-5520.
When you get your mail ballot, vote it and send it back promptly. The quick return of mail ballots speeds up the overall counting process because they can be prepared before Election Day, saving time and taxpayer dollars.
“The returned mail ballots will already be processed so when the clock strikes 8 p.m. on Election Night, we can immediately start counting them,” said Registrar Michael Vu. “Those results will be released just minutes afterward. As with any election, the more ballots processed beforehand, the quicker the election results.”
Those who miss the mail ballot deadline can vote in person at the Registrar of Voters located at 5600 Overland Ave., San Diego, 92123 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Election Day when the voting hours will change to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to reflect the hours at the polls, or between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6 for weekend voting. Voters can also cast ballots at their assigned polling place on Nov. 8.
Voters who are already permanent vote-by-mail voters do not need to re-apply. Their ballots will be mailed automatically.
For voters who need language assistance, election materials are also available in Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese. To learn more about voting in the Nov. 8 election, visit sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800.
