San Rafael, CA – Whether a Marin County resident has just turned 18 years old, just relocated to the county, or has decided to participate fully in the democratic process, the Marin County Elections Department is encouraging people to register to vote.
The eighth annual National Voter Registration Day is September 22, and the November 3 General Election is just weeks away. After October 19, residents wishing to vote in the November election will be required to register and vote in the Elections Department at the Marin County Civic Center or at their polling place.
Marin County Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts encourages all eligible voters to register to vote, especially women during the centennial year of the American women's suffrage movement.Marin County Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts and her staff are marking the occasion in different ways this year because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Typical in-person registration events like those held in past years are not possible because of health guidelines against public gatherings and requirements for social distancing.
The Elections staff is relying this year on assistance from trusted community messengers and the local media to encourage voter registration. On September 22, there will be a self-serve voter information table outside the Elections Department (3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, Suite 121) that will include voter packets encouraging people to register five more voters and a posted bar code that directs passers-by to register online. The Marin County Library Association plans to put up outdoor signage and College of Marin plans to email a reminder to all students. Individuals may help by downloading and distributing materials from the National Voter Registration Day resources webpage.
Traditionally, Marin has a high voter participation rate, and the number of people registered so far for this election is a record-breaking 170,533. According to data provided by the California Secretary of State’s Office, local residents eligible but not registered to vote is estimated at 10,600.
Roberts said voter registration should be seen as an act of exercising democracy.
“It’s a reminder that participation in our government and our society by voting in elections is really important to our country,” she said. “Engaging in decision-making is a right that is sometimes taken for granted. We shouldn’t forget that it’s a freedom many people in this world do not have. Our nation’s founders fought for that freedom and through the centuries we’ve gradually brought in more and more voices through voter registration.”
Learn more about key changes for November’s election because of COVID-19 and new state laws. That includes a statewide order that each active registered voter receive a vote-by-mail ballot in the mail. There are several local ballot measures and open seats for elected positions in Marin.
Can’t wait to register? Find the online voter registration form at www.sos.ca.gov.
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