Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who may register to vote?
   
   You may register to vote if you are:
   1. A US citizen
   2. A resident of California
   3. At least 18 years of age on or before the next election
   4. Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
   5. Not declared mentally incompetent by court action
      
      
2. How do I register to vote?
   
   By filling out a Voter Registration Form available at all Post Offices, city halls, most public libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles and most governmental agencies. The Secretary of State’s website enables you to fill out a registration form online, it is then mailed to you for your signature and then you just drop it in the mail.
   
   
3. When must I reregister to vote?
   
   When you move, change your name or wish to change your political party affiliation.
   
   
4. I just moved into California, when am I able to register to vote?
   
   There is no waiting period in the state of California before you can register to vote. However, you must be registered 15 days prior to an election to be eligible to vote.
   
   
5. May I register to vote at my business address or may I use my P.O. Boxnumber?
   
   No. A person may only register to voter at his/her place or residence. A business address or a P.O. Box number may only be used as a mailing address.
   
   
6. I registered at a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office. Why does the County say I'm not registered?
   
   A number of citizens who thought they had registered at DMV offices are not actually registered. Although they checked the box on the DMV form indicating they wanted to register to vote, many forgot to complete the attached voter registration form. A voter registration form must be completed and signed in order to become a registered voter.
   
   
7. Must I register with a specific party?
   
   No. California law states that an individual may choose either to register with a specific political party, register as non-partisan or decline to state.
   
   
8. What are the qualified political parties?
   
   American Independent Party, Democratic Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Peace and Freedom Party and Republican Party. California law permits you to register as a non-partisan voter (meaning that you are not affiliated with any of these parties). You can also decline to state a political party and you will be considered a nonpartisan voter.
   
   
9. Can I change my political party affiliation?
   
   Yes. If you wish to change your political party affiliation you must re-register at least 15 days prior to an election. In the general election voters may vote for any candidate regardless of political party affiliation.
   
   
10. If I didn’t vote in the last election, do I have to re-register?
    
    No. Generally, you are registered to vote as long as you live at the same address.
    
    
11. How can I find out if I am registered to vote?
    
    You can call the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222 to see if you are registered or check on this website.
    
    
12. Can I obtain registration information about another individual?
    
    Yes. However the information is restricted access. The Secretary of State has very strict guidelines as to the permissible uses of voter information.
    
    
13. I became a “new citizen” after the registration deadline. Can I still register and vote?
    
    Yes. Persons who become citizens after the close of registration may only vote at the Election Office between the 29th and 7th days prior to an election. New citizens must present a Certificate of Naturalization and declare that they have established residency in San Mateo County.
    
    
14. Can an ex-felon register to vote and be eligible to vote?
    
    Yes. An ex-felon can register to vote and is eligible to vote in elections if he/she is not currently in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
    
    
15. Where do I go to vote?
    
    Your polling place location is printed on the back cover of your sample ballot booklet. Voters typically receive their sample ballot 20 days before the election. In addition, you may lookup your polling place on our website.
    
    
16. What are the poll hours of operation?
    
    Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. By law, you have a right to vote if you are in line at the polling place when the polls close.
    
    
17. Why was my polling place changed?
    
    In California , there no permanent poll sites. Locations may change from election to election if a facility previously used is not available for a particular election. Changes to precinct boundaries may sometimes occur when precincts are consolidated or realigned, especially for local elections that are not statewide. Voters should refer to their sample ballot booklet for exact polling locations.
    
    
18. Can I take my sample ballot or my own written voting choices into the voting booth?
    
    Yes. It is recommended that you mark your voting choices in your sample ballot and take it to your poll site on Election Day to use as a reference. This will allow you to vote your ballot quickly. Remember to take your sample ballot out of the voting booth after you have completed voting.
    
    
19. If I do not know what to do when I get to the polling place, will someone help me?
    
    Yes. Ask the election poll workers to help you with the voting process. Poll workers cannot, however, help you in making decisions on your voting choices.
    
    
20. I only speak very limited English, is there oral assistance or are written voting materials available in languages other than English?
    
    Yes. In accordance with Federal law, San Mateo County provides voter registration information, election materials and oral assistance in Spanish and Chinese other than English. Additionally, poll sites that have been identified as requiring oral language assistance are supplied with translated voting materials and staffed with bilingual speaking poll workers whenever possible. Signs are posted in those locations identifying the minority language(s) spoken.
    
    
21. Can I vote for someone whose name is not listed on the ballot?
    
    Yes. Only if the person is a qualified write-in candidate. Only votes for qualified write-in candidates will be counted. Ask poll workers or call the Election Office for a list of those candidates. Elections Officials can also assist you with write-in voting procedures.
    
    
22. I have to work and therefore have no time to vote, what should I do?
    
    According to California Elections Code, employees are eligible for paid time off for the purpose of voting only if they do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote. Employees can be given as much time as they need in order to vote, but only a maximum of two hours is paid.
    
    
23. How do I vote if I can’t get to my polling place?
    
    You can vote by mail by sending the Elections Office a request for an absentee ballot. You can also apply by sending a letter. The required information includes your name as registered, residence address, mailing address if different, your date of birth, the election which you are applying for and your signature.
    
    
24. When do I have to return my Vote by Mail ballot?
    
    Vote by Mail ballots must be received by the Elections Office on or before 8 p.m. on election night. Vote by Mail ballots received after 8:00 p.m. election night will not be counted. You may drop off your Vote by Mail ballot at ANY polling location in the County before 8:00 p.m. Election Day and it will be counted.
    
    
25. What should I do if I think my absentee ballot may not arrive on time by mail?
    
    You may come in person to the Election Office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo and drop it off any time before Election Day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Election Day, you may return your Vote by Mail ballot to the Elections Office or any polling place in San Mateo County between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    
    
26. What should I do if I cannot return my Vote by Mail ballot myself, and it is too late to send it in the mail?
    
    You may authorize a relative (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister) or any person residing in the same household to return your ballot. On the return envelope, you must sign your name and print the name of the person you are authorizing to return your ballot. That person must also sign in the space provided.
    
    
27. If I lose the Vote by Mail ballot sent to me, can I get another one?
    
    Yes. Call the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222 and a second ballot will be sent to you. You must sign the statement sent to you with the second ballot that you have lost or did not receive your Vote by Mail ballot. You may also go to your regular polling place or to the Elections Office and vote a provisional ballot.
    
    
28. I am out of the country and the mail is slow. Can I apply earlier than the normal 29 days?
    
    Yes. If you state on your application that the mail is slow or difficult in the country that you are in and you need to receive the Vote by Mail ballot earlier than 29 days before an election, you may receive a special Vote by Mail ballot that can be sent out as early as
    60 days prior to an election.
    
    
29. How do I qualify for Permanent Vote by Mail Status?
    
    State law now allows any voter to request Permanent Vote by Mail status. You may request an application from our office. A Vote by Mail ballot will automatically be sent to you for all future elections. Failure to vote in a Statewide election will cancel your Permanent Vote by Mail status and you will need to reapply. If you have any questions regarding voting by mail, call (650) 312-5222.
    
    
30. If I request a Vote by Mail ballot, can I change my mind and vote at my regular polling place?
    
    Yes. But please take your ballot to the polling place and officially turn it into the poll worker in exchange for the right to vote a regular precinct ballot. If you do not have your Vote by Mail ballot, you will be allowed to cast a “provisional” ballot at the polling place. Your provisional ballot will be counted after the elections officials confirm that you did not previously vote using your Vote by Mail ballot for that election.
    
    
31. Are there circumstances under which a voter can be required to vote by mail?
    
    Yes. There are circumstances under which a voter can be required to vote by mail. If a precinct has fewer than 250 registered voters on the 88th day before an election, that precinct can be declared by the Elections Official to be a "Mail Ballot Precinct". All Mail Ballot voters will be notified approximately 25 days in advance of their status prior to being sent an official absentee ballot.
    
    
32. How can I volunteer to work at or provide a polling place?
    
    By calling the Elections Office at (650) 286-2610.
    
    
33. What do I do if I move before the election?
    
    If you moved within San Mateo County 14 days or less before the election, you can go to the polling place for your old address, the polling place for your new address or to the Elections Office. If you go to the polling place for your new address, be sure to bring either a California Drivers license, ID card or two other types of identification that will prove you live at the new address. If you don’t have proof of current residence, you can complete an affirmation form in our office on Election Day.
    
    
34. I am disabled/physically challenged. Is there any assistance for me?
    
    In compliance with the federal and state law, we provide curbside voting to voters who cannot get inside the polling place. A poll worker will bring a ballot and voting device and assist the voters in casting a ballot.
    
    
35. I would like to run for office. What are the qualifications and requirements?
    
    Candidate qualifications and filing requirements are specific for different elective offices. For general information regarding candidate qualifications, filing requirements, filing periods, campaign statement/financial disclosure reporting, call (650) 312-5222 or go to the Candidates & Campaigns section of this website.
    
    
36. May I sign a petition if I am not registered to vote?
    
    No. You must be a registered voter for your signature to be valid on a petition. If you complete and sign a voter registration form on the same date or a date prior to signing the petition, your signature will be valid. The Election Office must receive the completed/signed voter registration form on or before the date the petition is filed with the elections office.
    
    
37. Is it true that voter registration lists are used to select citizens for jury duty?
    
    Yes. California State Statutes require that lists of registered voters be provided to the Jury Commissioner to be used for jury duty selection.
    
    
38. Why am I receiving multiple Jury Summonses?
    
    The Jury Commissioner selects jurors from lists provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles and the County Voter Registration Unit. If your name appears differently on your driver’s license and voter registration file, you may receive multiple notices. To remedy this situation, complete a new voter registration form with your name printed as it appears on your license and return it to the Elections Office at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo.
    
    
39. If I cancel my voter registration, can I be certain that I will not get a summons for jury duty?
    
    No. The Jury Services Division requests a list of active and cancelled voter files. Additionally, California State Statute requires that lists of licensed drivers, obtained from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), also be made available to the Jury Commissioner.
    
    
40. How can I find out my districts (congressional, legislative, supervisorial etc.)?
    
    Contact the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222 or visit our website homepage.
    
    
41. How do I get election results?
    
    Contact the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222 or visit our website homepage.
    
    
42. Can I receive advice on which candidates or ballot measures that I should support or oppose?
    
    No. The Elections Office is prohibited from offering advice to voters regarding how a voter should cast their vote.
    
    
43. Does San Mateo use Touch Screen voting? What type of voting machines/technology does San Mateo County use?
    
    San Mateo County uses the eSlate Voting system. The eSlate is not a touch screen voting device. Voters navigate through the ballot by turning a "select" wheel and making their choices by pressing an "enter" button. Voters are given the opportunity to review their ballot choices and can make changes before casting their ballot. The eSlate produces a printed paper record of all the choices a voter makes enabling the voter the opportunity to verfiy their vote before they cast it and make it official. The eSlate also allows the voter many opportunities to correct or change their voting choices before casting their ballot.