Election Observer Information

Election Observer Information

Anyone may observe all aspects of the election process. Ballot processing is performed weekdays in the Elections Department between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. except as noted below. Notice of ballot processing outside regular business hours will be posted 48 hours in advance online, www.marinvotes.org, and at the Civic Center Hall of Justice.

Sorting returned vote-by-mail ballots will start on February 12 and will continue daily (depending on mail delivery) until all ballots are processed. Signature verification on ballot envelopes is part of this process.

Preparing vote-by-mail ballots for counting will start on February 18 and will continue daily until all ballots are processed. The process includes removing ballots from envelopes and duplicating damaged ballots.

Counting vote-by-mail ballots will start on February 19 and will continue daily until all ballots are counted. This process includes scanning and adjudication of ballots.

Election Day polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 3. A list of polling places and the Election Observer Guidelines are available on our website.

Precinct ballots will be returned to the Civic Center Hall of Justice (middle arch) on Election Day, March 3, after the polls close at 8 p.m. Precinct ballots will be counted on election night and will continue that night until all precinct ballots are counted.

Provisional ballots from polling places and conditional voter registration will be processed after vote-by-mail ballots.

The manual tally of ballots is conducted at the end of the canvass period and will continue until the manual tally is finished. Notice of the specific date will be posted online five days in advance.

Elections Department location:
Suite 121 of the Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
Call 415-473-6456 for more information.