SLO County voter count looks strong. Here’s how to turn in your ballot
This Election Day is a big one for the country and for San Luis Obispo County — and local voters know it.
A record number of 176,343 residents have registered to vote compared to 155,804 in 2016. Nearly 55,000 had turned in ballots as of Monday afternoon, according to county elections clerk Tommy Gong.
In addition to picking a presidential candidate, voters can decide who will hold three of five seats on the county Board of Supervisors, choosing from candidates who have very different priorities.
Ultimately, the voters’ decisions could have ramifications on future policies on housing, homelessness and the environment.
You can read all about that in our voter guide series, here:
SLO County voter guide: How Adam Hill and Stacy Korsgaden compare on key issues
SLO County voter guide: Where Debbie Arnold and Ellen Beraud stand on the key issues
SLO County voter guide: How John Peschong and Stephanie Shakofsky match up on key issues
Here are last-minute tips to help you get your ballot in and counted.
How to turn in your ballot
If you received a vote-by-mail ballot: Fill the ballot out, be sure to sign the envelope, and drop it off at a polling place or at the county election’s office by 8 p.m. Tueday. If you are dropping your ballot in the mail on Election Day, get a “Circle Date Stamp” on your envelope at the mail counter. Ballots that are postmarked on Election Day will be counted as long as the election’s office receives it by Friday.
If you want to vote at the polls: You have the option of voting at the county elections office at 1055 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo, or at your polling place. Find your polling place at clerk.slocounty.ca.gov/pollingplace. Try to avoid busy times if you can, including before work, during lunch hour and after work.
If you didn’t register to vote or didn’t receive a ballot: It’s not too late to vote. Go to the county elections office or to your polling place. You can register and vote the same day. Learn more here. You can vote at the county elections office as long as you are in line by 8 p.m. To avoid lines, try to get there between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. or between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
If you make a mistake: If you accidentally mark the wrong bubble, draw an “x” through it. Elections officials are trained to select the vote that matches other votes throughout the ballot.
If you need to change your party affiliation or address: It is not too late. Urgent legislation allows for voters to complete a form and fill out a regular poll ballot.
If you are disabled: There are new accessible ballot-marking devices for voters at the polls to assist voters with disabilities to vote independently and confidentially.
SLO County election results will not be immediate
Around 85% of a record 176,343 registered voters in San Luis Obispo County asked to vote by mail. Processing those ballots takes more time than when people vote at the polls, according to county clerk-recorder Tommy Gong.
The first round of election results will be released at 8 p.m. Tuesday. When that announcement is made, it will only include ballots received as of Saturday night, which is estimated to be about 50,000.
As of Monday afternoon, 54,910 ballots had been received of the 145,262 vote-by-mail ballots issued, Gong said. That’s 37.5%.
It could take as long as three weeks to determine a winner in a close race. The Tribune will publish updated counts as they are released.
Any person with questions about registering to vote or any election issue may contact the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder, Elections Division, at 805-781-5228 or elections@co.slo.ca.us.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 3:30 PM.
