SLO County ballots are in the mail — here’s what to do when you get it
Election season is officially in full swing.
On Monday, the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office mailed ballots for the Nov. 8 General Election to all registered voters, and those ballots will land in mailboxes throughout the week.
“It’s fantastic that ballots are out and to the voters,” County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano told The Tribune. “We’re gearing up. We’re now in the thick of it.”
Voters can track the location of their ballot by signing up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov, a website recommended by the California Secretary of State’s Office. This website also shows when the county receives your ballot after you submit it.
According to state law, every registered voter in California will receive a mail-in ballot.
Now that the ballots are on their way to voters, the Elections Office is focused on completing poll worker training, setting up polling places and preparing the voting system, Cano said.
Here’s everything you need to know about voting this election, from where to drop off your ballot to which offices are up for election.
Can I still register to vote?
Voters can register up until Election Day in California, so it’s never too late to sign up for a ballot.
Oct. 24 is the last day to register online or by mail for the November election.
You can register online at the California Secretary of State’s Office website RegisterToVote.ca.gov, or complete a paper application at the county Elections Office at 1055 Monterey St.
You can also pick up paper applications at the DMV, post office and public libraries, according to the Secretary of State website.
If you miss the Oct. 24 deadline, you can take advantage of same-day registration at the clerk-recorder’s offices in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero. You can even register to vote in person on Election Day.
Not sure if you’re registered? Check online at slocounty.ca.gov/voterstatus/.
What’s on the ballot?
More than 70 local offices are on the ballot in November, including city council races, school board seats, community service districts governing board seats and the District 2 seat on the SLO County Board of Supervisors.
Also on the ballot are state government races for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, attorney general, state insurance commissioner and the Board of Equalization District 2.
SLO County voters also have a say in two United States Senator races — one for a full term and one for a partial term.
During the primary election, you may have found yourself voting in a new district for the state and federal races. That’s because 2020 redistricting split the county into two state Assembly districts and two congressional districts.
SLO County used to reside in State Assembly District 35. Now, Nipomo voters can choose between Mike Stoker and Gregg Hart for the District 37 race, and the rest of the county will chose between Dawn Addis and Vicki Nohrden for the District 30 seat.
In previous elections, the whole county was a part of District 24 for Congress. Now, areas of the county from Santa Margarita and Cayucos to the south will chose between incumbent Salud Carbajal and Dr. Brad Allen for District 24, while areas to the north are now in District 19, where incumbent Jimmy Panetta and Jeff Gorman are battling for the seat.
How to turn in your ballot
Voters can return their ballot as soon as Tuesday, Oct. 11, and must submit their ballots on or before election day, which is Nov. 8.
Voters can submit their ballot in three ways:
- Send your ballot by mail. If you go this route, ensure that the ballot is postmarked on or before Election Day.
- Drop off your ballot at the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in downtown SLO or at any vote-by-mail drop box in California. Find a list of the county’s certified drop boxes at www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Clerk-Recorder/All-Services/Elections-and-Voting/Where-to-Vote.aspx.
- On Election Day, submit your ballot at your polling place, which is listed on your mail-in ballot. You could also complete a provisional ballot at your polling place.
Complete the ballot with a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink; don’t use a pen with light-colored ink.
Cano advised voters to submit their ballot as soon as possible.
“Voters do not have to wait until Election Day to return their voted ballot,” Cano said. “I would really encourage people to return their voted ballot earlier, as early as they feel comfortable in doing.”
This is because ballots submitted before Election Day will be counted before Election Day and included in the election night tally, whereas ballots received by the office in the mail after Election Day are counted later, which can take some time depending on volume.
“Voters just need to know that they shouldn’t delay, vote today,” Cano said. “There’s no reason to wait. We have all the information for all the candidates and the state propositions and the local measures all available for them.”
