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The 2022 primary election is upon us on June 7! Have you made any decisions yet on how you're casting your ballots? In order to make sure you're able to let your voice be heard, there are a few simple steps you must take and things you should know.
If you want to participate in voting, you must make sure you are registered to vote. You can find out if you're eligible to vote by clicking here. The voter registration deadline is 15 days before an election. If you happen to miss this deadline, fret not!
You can still go to your county elections office, vote center, or polling place on or before Election Day to complete the conditional voter registration process also known as the Same Day Voter Registration process. You will have to fill out a voter registration card and will be given a ballot. Once county elections officials have verified your voter registration, your vote will be counted. For more information about the Same Day Voter Registration process, click here.
It's important to note that there are different ways to vote in California. You can vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person the day of the election.
Vote-By-Mail allows you to vote at your own convenience. It includes a packet that includes an easy-to-read full face ballot, return envelope, secrecy sleeve and an "I Voted" sticker. You won't even need stamps to complete your submissions, just drop it in the mailbox at any designated Vote-By-Mail drop-off locations.
Also, Vote-By-Mail ballots will begin to be mailed by May 9, 2022. County elections officials will mail vote-by-mail ballots to all active registered voters for every election, if they have registered before the voter registration deadline.
Another way to vote is to vote early. County elections officials offer early voting at their office, and many counties offer early voting at additional locations before Election Day. The process is slightly similar to the Vote-By-Mail process. Ballot drop boxes will open on May 10.
And then finally, you can vote in person on Election Day, which is June 7. Voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The location of your polling place is provided in your county Voter Information Guide mailed to you by your county elections official.
You can also find your polling location by visiting this website. Once you've voted you can easily track your ballot to make sure that it is counted.
A comprehensive voter guide provided by the state is available online as well.