San Rafael, CA – Ballots for the June 7 Statewide Direct Primary Election have been sent to all active registered voters in Marin County, and early voting is already taking place at the Elections Department in the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael.
Any voter may cast a ballot at the Elections Department in Suite 121 of the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael.Under the Voter’s Choice Act (Senate Bill 450 from 2016), a voting model adopted by the Board of Supervisors in May 2021, all registered voters are automatically sent a vote-by-mail ballot and multiday regional vote centers replace one-day neighborhood polling places. The complete list of vote center locations with hours of operation, including weekends, is published in the voter information guide that was mailed to all registered voters and is posted online.
The vote center at the Elections Department (3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 121) is now open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for early voting. Voters may get a replacement vote-by-mail ballot if they lost or damaged the ballot mailed to them.
Those eligible to vote can still register by Monday, May 23, and automatically receive a ballot in the mail. After the deadline, eligible persons will have to register and vote at a vote center. Voters may visit any vote center for services.
Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, June 7. Instead of mailing, voters may drop their ballot at one of several drop boxes located throughout the county or at any vote center before 8 p.m. on Election Day. The list of drop boxes is printed in the voter information guide and is posted at MarinVotes.org.
Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts said a voter unable to return a vote-by-mail ballot may designate someone to return it for them by filling out the form on the back of the return envelope. “I strongly encourage voters to only designate someone they know and trust,” she said.
Ballots turned in on behalf of someone else must be returned within 72 hours, but not later than 8 p.m. on Election Day if using a drop box or vote center. If mailed, the ballot must be postmarked no later than June 7. Voters may call (415) 473-6456 if they have questions or concerns.
Roberts reminds voters to sign their return envelope because the Elections Department cannot process the ballot without the signature. Voters will receive a letter if their signature is missing or doesn’t compare with their voter registration form so they can fix the problem.
If you’re not sure if you are registered to vote but plan to vote in this election, check the Voter Information Portal to find out, or call (415) 473-6456.
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