September 25, 2008

November Presidential Election Sample Ballots to Begin Landing in Mailboxes on Saturday!

Nov. 4 is less than six weeks away

Redwood City, CA –The Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlets will begin landing in the mailboxes of the 365,557 voters of San Mateo County beginning on Saturday, September 27 and continue through October 10. Voters will receive their own personal copy of the official guide for the Nov. 4 Presidential General Election. "Every voter should take some time to review the material, make their choices and bring their marked Sample Ballot to the polls on Election Day," said Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum.

According to Slocum, the November ballot will be a long one and a very high turnout is expected. "Voters will need to do their homework before heading to the polls. Besides the hotly contested and widely covered presidential race, the ballot is loaded with state and local candidates, state propositions and local measures.” The paper ballot covers four pages – front and back and eSlate ballot has 12 to 16 screens of choices. If voters are prepared, it will take them less time to vote and help reduce the wait in line for all voters.

The purpose of the Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet is to educate voters about state and local candidates choices and local measures, advises them of their polling location and rights as voters, review the steps for voting on the voting system, offer additional voter resources and generally prepare them for Election Day.

The San Mateo County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet is available in English, Spanish or Chinese; voters who prefer Chinese or Spanish language election materials may request them at the time they register to vote or at anytime thereafter.

Visually impaired voters can request a copy of the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Guide on audio tape. "As a practice, we make voting as accessible as possible so that everyone has a voice in the democratic process," said Slocum.

In addition to the county's Sample Ballot Pamphlet, voters will receive the State Voter Information Guide in the mail. One State Voter Information Guide will be sent per household. The state typically mails the Voter Information Guide six to eight weeks in advance of the election; these guides have begun to arrive in county households. The primary components of the guide are the state propositions (title and summary, analysis, arguments for and against and text of the proposed law). The Voter Information Guide is available on the Secretary of State's website in a pdf format in a variety of languages at www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov.

If you have any questions regarding the county's Sample Ballot Pamphlet delivery schedule, please check our website www.shapethefuture.org, call the Elections Division at (650) 312-5222 or email registrar@smcare.org.