SLO County ballots are on the way — here’s what’s new, how to track yours and more
Now that ballots for the June 7 primary are on their way, it’s officially the start of the election season in San Luis Obispo County.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office, ballots have been mailed to all registered SLO County voters as of Monday.
Voters will now have until June 7 to fill out and return their ballots, using their preferred voting method.
As you prepare to do your civic duty, here’s answers to a few of the most common questions voters have about the process.
What’s different this year?
According to the SLO County Elections Office, there are some notable changes with ballots this year.
Due to the large number of candidates in the primary, your official ballot will actually include two ballot cards, labeled “A” and “B.” There are contests on both sides of each card, and both should be filled out if you want to vote for all offices.
When returning, both cards should be inserted in the included envelope, which is then sealed and signed.
How can I track my ballot?
If your ballot isn’t already in your mailbox and you want to check where it is, there’s an easy tool to do that.
You can sign up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to track your ballot using your name, date of birth and zip code.
The free tool will allow you to sign up for email, phone and text notifications on the status of your ballot.
This also allows you to track when your ballot has been received.
What’s on the ballot?
The June ballots include offices such as U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, attorney general, insurance commissioner, member of the state Board of Equalization, state superintendent of public instruction, U.S. representative in Congress, state senator, state Assembly member and as local candidates, according to the SLO County Elections website.
Notably, there are two races for one of California’s Senate seats on the ballot this June: one for a full 6-year term that begins on Jan. 3, 2023, and another for a partial term ending that same day. The partial term is due to a special vacancy, according to the Elections Office, and voters can select candidates in both contests. Alex Padilla was appointed to the seat vacated by Kamala Harris.
Other changes in traditional representation due to redistricting include
- Congressional: San Luis Obispo County is now included in both the 19th and 24th districts, rather than just the 24th District.
- State Assembly: What used to be the 35th District is now District 30 and 37.
- State Senate: Some SLO County voters will now be in the 21st District, while others remain in the 17th District
Thanks to redistricting and the mid-term appointment of current District 3 Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg, some local voters may also have the option to vote in both District 3 and District 4.
Voters residing within both the old District 3 and the new District 4 will receive a ballot including both contests.
How do I turn my ballot in?
Filling out your ballot is as simple as filling in the ovals next to the name of the candidate you wish to vote for (just make sure to use a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink — no red or light-colored ink).
Once completed, put the ballot cards in the return envelope provided, seal, sign and print your address on the return envelope.
From there you have several options:
- Return by mail: Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before June 7, and have to be received by the county elections office no later than seven days after the election. If you are not sure your vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time if mailed, bring it to any polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Return in person at polling place: You can return your ballot in person at a number of polling places throughout San Luis Obispo County, or take it to the Elections Office before 8 p.m. on June 7.
- Return using a ballot drop boxes: Similar to voting in person at a polling place, your ballot can also be dropped off at any one of the ballot drop boxes scattered throughout San Luis Obispo County. The county has not yet released information on when those boxes will be available.
This story was originally published May 10, 2022 at 1:42 PM.
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