San Rafael, CA – Voters in the March 3 Presidential Primary Election will be excited about the first returns that night, and the Marin County Elections Department will deliver the numbers on its election results webpage. Results of vote-by-mail ballots returned before March 3 will be available shortly after 8 p.m. on election night.
Anyone may drop off a filled-out ballot in the box at the Elections Department.The first report from precincts is expected at about 9:15 p.m. and will be updated about every 45 minutes until all ballots are returned from the polls and counted in the Elections Department at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael.
The County recently purchased and installed a new voting system with features that will modernize election administration and make counting ballots more efficient. About 78 percent of local voters choose to vote by mail, often on or just before Election Day, a rate that is higher than most other counties. Election laws have changed in recent years, allowing people to register and vote on Election Day, for example, which requires manual verification.
“While we are excited to have our new central counting system, it is our first time using the system in a countywide election,” said Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts. “It will still take time for our staff to prepare ballots for counting, but the new equipment should allow staff to count ballots more quickly once prepared and verified. We’ll work hard for an efficient and accurate count as quickly as possible.”
Vote-by-mail ballots dropped off at polling places on Election Day will be processed in the days following the election. Roberts reminded voters to sign return envelope so ballots can be processed quickly. But if voters forget, the Elections Department will send a letter with instructions for fixing the problem. Voters will receive a letter if a signature does not compare to the signature on their voter registration card.
Roberts also reminded voters that mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
If a voter decides not to mail a ballot, there are other return options:
- Return a filled-out ballot in the signed envelope to the Elections Department on Election Day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Return a filled-out ballot in the signed envelope to any polling location in Marin before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Use the convenient and secure drop box stationed at the main entrance to the Marin County Civic Center through 8 p.m. Election Day. The entrance is on Peter Behr Drive under the Civic Center’s south archway.
Voters may use the Voter Information Portal (VIP) to check the status of a vote-by-mail ballot.
Updates to the election night results will be posted to the Elections Department website, www.marinvotes.org, every Wednesday and Friday by 5 p.m. until the election is final.
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