San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Elections Department started mailing vote-by-mail ballots on October 11, giving local registered voters nearly a month to fill out and send in their ballots.
As in the June election, voters in the November 8 General Election will receive a postage-paid return envelope along with their ballot. Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts reminds voters to sign and date their ballot envelope.
“We can’t process a ballot unless the return envelope is signed,” she said, “and following up with voters to get their signature is very time consuming. I would rather we spend our time counting ballots than tracking down signatures.”
Even though a ballot can count if it is postmarked on Election Day and received by the Elections Department within three days, Roberts encourages voters to mail their ballot back a week before the election if possible. Voter turnout in Marin County was 87 percent in 2012, and nearly 91 percent in 2008, among the highest turnout in California. With the probability of a very high turnout in this election because of the Presidential race, the department wants to process as many vote-by-mail ballots as possible before Election Day.
Starting October 17, the Elections Department will have a drop box outside the main entrance of the Civic Center on Peter Behr Drive in San Rafael. Vote-by-mail ballots not dropped off early or returned by mail must be at the Elections Department or delivered to a polling place no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 8.
Voters who want to vote by mail may apply for a ballot in one of the following ways:
- In person 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or Election Day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Elections Department, Suite 121, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael
- Online on our website
- By phone at 415-473-6441 or 415-473-6444
- In writing until November 1. Send a letter or use the application on the back of the voter information pamphlet. Mail to the Registrar of Voters, PO Box E, San Rafael, CA 94913-3904.
Not yet registered in Marin County? You have until October 24 to register for the November 8 election. Go to www.registertovote.ca.gov or call 415-473-6456 to request a voter registration form in the mail.