SLO County launches new way to vote in primary election. Here’s what to know
San Luis Obispo County is now offering a new way to cast a ballot in the June 2 primary election.
Starting Monday, registered voters can participate in a brand-new early voting method by casting a mail ballot at SLO County elections offices without using a return envelope.
Previously, voters could drop off their mail ballot or get a replacement ballot at either the San Luis Obispo or Atascadero elections offices, according to a county news release.
But now voters no longer need to have the return envelope with them when they bring in their ballot. Instead, people can complete and sign a short form.
Elections staff will then immediately check and verify the signature against the person’s voter record, the release said. Once verified, a staff member will hand the voter a privacy sleeve.
The voter can then choose their selections on the ballot and then place the completed ballot into the privacy sleeve. Staff will then help the voter deposit the finished ballot into the box behind the election office counter, according to the release.
The county clerk-recorder’s office said this new way of voting allows these ballots without an envelope to be counted early and added to the first results released at 8 p.m. on election night.
“The voter’s record will be credited at the time they vote, increasing security and providing immediate confirmation that their vote was accepted,” the release said.
Voters can only cast a ballot without an envelope at SLO County’s two elections offices in downtown San Luis Obispo and Atascadero.
Ballots that are placed in official county drop boxes or are returned to polling places on Election Day will still need a signed return envelope, the release said.
Ballots sent out to registered voters in SLO County
Vote-by-mail ballots were officially sent out to all registered voters in San Luis Obispo County on Monday.
The ballots were mailed from the USPS hub in Goleta, the release said.
Ballot drop boxes will open at more than a dozen locations across the county beginning Tuesday morning.
