Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections
May 5, 2008
Contact:
Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer
Phone: (650) 363-4988 E-mail: wslocum@smcare.org
Alternate:
David Tom, Elections Manager
Phone: (650) 312-5222 E-mail: dtom@smcare.org
Early Voting Begins Today for June Statewide Direct Primary!
Mailing of official ballots to Vote by Mail voters also begins
Redwood City, CA - Voters may begin casting ballots today in the Statewide Direct Primary Election, California’s second primary election of the year that will officially take place on June 3, 2008.
For voters looking for a fast and easy way to cast their ballot and avoid the rush of Election Day, mail voting is attractive and approximately 138,636 registered voters out of around 358,960 – or 38.6 percent– have chosen this convenient option.
"Early voting has become a popular way to cast a ballot in San Mateo County," Warren Slocum, the county’s Chief Elections Officer noted.
Voters may vote during normal business hours at a Universal Voting Center at either 40 Tower Road in San Mateo or on the first floor of 555 County Center in Redwood City. Voters can choose either an electronic or paper ballot.
"Any voter, from any precinct, can come in and vote early," said San Mateo County Chief Elections Office Warren Slocum. "I encourage everyone to make their vote a priority. Don’t wait until Election Night when you might have to work late, fight traffic and search for parking. Just make the time to come by and vote."
Today also marks the first day that the Elections Office can begin mailing the official Vote by Mail ballots to voters. Slocum encouraged voters, "Keep a look-out for the arrival of your official ballot in the mail; it’s coming!"
If you are not signed up to vote by mail, it is not too late to join the 138,636 people in San Mateo County who already got a head start on Election Day by voting through the mail. “Voting by mail simplifies your life, as voters can decide when and where they want to vote,” Slocum said. “Vote at work, at the kitchen table, or after you’ve put the kids to bed!”
In the 2008 April Special Open Congressional Primary Election in the 12th Congressional District, 73 percent of the ballots cast were by mail. And, on May 6, the Portola Valley Elementary School District will be conducting an all mail election to fill the vacancy on their Governing Board saving the district precious resources at a time when they are in short supply.
Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must complete an application. Obtain one online at www.shapethefuture.org or by calling the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222, or simply fill out the form on the back cover of your Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet. Voters may also fax or mail a written request to vote by mail to the Elections Office stating: (1) Voter's full name; (2) voter's San Mateo County residence address; (3) voter’s mailing address for ballot, if different from the residence address; (4) name and date of the election the Vote by Mail ballot is for; (5) and the voter's signature. Requests can be mailed to 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402 or faxed to (650) 312-5348. Requests must be received by the Elections Office no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27. A postmark is not acceptable.
Vote by Mail ballots can be returned in the mail, at your local City Hall in San Mateo County, or if time is running short, to a Universal Voting Center. On Election Day, Vote by Mail ballots can be dropped off at any active polling place in San Mateo County. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
"Voting has never been easier or more convenient," Slocum said. "Take advantage of these opportunities and make every effort to vote early."
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