San Rafael, CA – New voter registration rules will allow eligible residents to register and vote in an election even if they wait until Election Day thanks to the law that became operative on January 1, 2017.
Prior to the new law, called Conditional Voter Registration, an eligible person had to register no later than 15 days prior to an election to vote in that election. Now during the period of 14 days through and including Election Day until 8 p.m., a registrant may cast a conditional provisional ballot at the Marin County Elections Department after delivering a properly executed affidavit of registration. After the registration is processed and deemed valid, the Elections Department can process the provisional ballot. Under the new rules a voter may still register online during the grace period but will need to cast the conditional provisional ballot at the Elections Department.
“Life gets busy, and sometimes registering to vote isn’t on the radar,” said Lynda Roberts, the County’s Registrar of Voters. “This new law ensures that an eligible resident need not miss another opportunity to vote due to lack of registration.”
Since the November 7 election is not countywide, some areas will not be voting. If you aren’t sure, check the Voter Information Portal online to find out if you will be voting in this election, or to find out if you are registered. You can also call 415-473-6456 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays to check your registration.
The Elections Department located at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 121, San Rafael is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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