SLO County election: Here’s everything you need to know about voting today
After weeks of campaigning, forums and mudslinging, Election Day has finally arrived in San Luis Obispo County.
For more than two weeks, the SLO County Elections Office has been busy counting mail-in ballots. But voter participation has been low, and if you’re like most of the county, you probably still need to vote.
Today is your last chance to weigh in a collection of critical races, including the District 2 supervisor’s seat, your city council and school board, and state and national offices such as Assembly and Congress.
“It’s a big day,” San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano told The Tribune on Monday. “Certainly it is filled with a lot of excitement.”
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about voting on Election Day.
How many people have already voted?
The Elections Office mailed ballots to 182,185 registered voters in SLO County on Oct. 10, but only 54,745 voters had returned them as of Monday, Cano said.
That means turnout is only at 30% so far.
Though more people have voted so far before this election than they did before the June primary, Cano said it’s still a low turnout.
If you’ve already submitted your ballot, you can track its status 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.
I haven’t registered yet. Can I still vote?
The deadline to register to vote online or by mail for the election was Oct. 24 — but there’s a buffer for folks who procrastinated and still want to cast a ballot.
You can still register to vote in-person at the Clerk-Recorder’s Offices in downtown San Luis Obispo and Atascadero.
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 councils, school boards, community service district governing boards 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 member for District 2.
SLO County voters also have a say in two U.S. Senate 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 the 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 District 37, and the rest of the county will chose between Dawn Addis and Vicki Nohrden for the District 30 seat.
In previous elections for Congress, the whole county was a part of District 24.
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.
Where do I turn in my ballot?
Voters can submit their ballot in a variety of ways on Election Day.
You can cast your mail-in ballot at your polling place; the location is listed on your ballot. You can also complete a provisional ballot at your polling place.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.
Alternatively, you can send in your ballot by mail. If you go this route, ensure that the ballot is postmarked on or before Election Day. Ballots received within seven days will be counted, Cano said.
If voters plan to drop off their ballots in a USPS mail box, Cano recommended checking what time the mail will be collected — which should be listed on the box. If a voter deposits their ballot after the last batch of mail is collected from that box, it will be postmarked for the day after Election Day and won’t be counted, she said.
If you return your ballot by mail, remember to sign the outside of he envelope, Cano said.
You can also 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 bit.ly/3hlwfuS.
Cano noted that drop boxes will only be open as long as the facility where they’re located is open. So if the box is at the library and the library closes at 5 p.m., that’s when the box will close. She advised voters to find out when their preferred drop box closes so they can return their ballot in time.
Cano reminded voters to avoid red pen when completing their ballots, and to use pencil or blue or black ink instead. Folks who have damaged their ballot can stop by at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office for a replacement, Cano said.
Finally, Cano asked voters to be cautious as they drive in the rain today.
“Drive safely and give yourself some time,” Cano said. “Don’t wait until the last moment so you have to rush.”
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
