Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections

October 6, 2008

Early Voting Begins Monday in the November Presidential General Election!
Mailing of official ballots to Vote by Mail voters also begins

Redwood City, CA –Redwood City, CA – Voters may begin casting ballots Monday, October 6 for the November 4 Presidential General Election. Thirty-one states, including California, allow voters to cast their ballots well in advance of the election. California allows voting to begin 29 days prior to the election.

San Mateo County voters may vote at Early Voting Centers located at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo or at 555 County Center, Redwood City (first floor) during normal business hours. These locations will also open to voters on the two Saturdays prior to Election Day on Oct. 25th and Nov. 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Voters can choose to vote on either an electronic or paper ballot.

Monday also marks the first day that the Elections Office can begin mailing the official Vote by Mail ballots to voters. Slocum encouraged voters to, “Keep a look-out for the arrival of your official ballot in the mail; it’s coming!”

For voters looking for a fast and easy way to cast their ballot and avoid the rush of Election Day, voting at an Early Voting Center or voting by mail are two voting alternatives. At the Early Voting Centers, voters can vote Monday through Friday during business hours Monday up to Election Day, plus the two Saturday voting dates.

“Any voter, from any precinct, can come in and vote early,” said San Mateo County Chief Elections Office Warren Slocum. “I encourage everyone to make their vote a priority. Don’t wait until Election Day or Night when you might have to work late, fight traffic and search for parking. We expect long lines at the polls for this election.”

“Signing up to vote by mail couldn’t be easier,” said Slocum. “Voting by mail simplifies your life. Voters can decide when and where to vote,” Slocum said. “You can vote at work, at the kitchen table, or after you’ve put the kids to bed!”

Voting by mail has become a very popular option among San Mateo County voters and California voters, 159,382 of the 369,202 registered voters have already signed up to vote by mail. That represents 43% of the total number of registered voters in this county.

Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must complete an application. Obtain one online at www.shapethefuture.org or by calling the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222, or simply fill out the form on the back cover of your Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet. Voters may also fax, email or mail a written request to vote by mail to the Elections Office stating: (1) Voter's full name; (2) voter's San Mateo County residence address; (3) voter’s mailing address for ballot, if different from the residence address; (4) name and date of the election the Vote by Mail ballot is for; (5) and the voter's signature. Requests can be mailed to 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402, emailed to registrar@smcare.org or faxed to (650) 312-5348. Requests must be received by the Elections Office no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28. A postmark is not acceptable.

Vote by Mail ballots can be returned in the mail, at your local City Hall in San Mateo County, or if time is running short, to any of the two Early Voting Centers. On Election Day, Vote by Mail ballots can be dropped off at any active polling place in San Mateo County. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

"Voting has never been easier or more convenient,” Slocum said. “Take advantage of these opportunities. Avoid the lines. My best advice--make every effort to vote early.”

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