Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections

May 21, 2008

Go Green – Vote by Mail
May 27: Last Day to Request Vote by Mail ballot

Redwood City, CA - Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum encouraged voters in the upcoming June 3 Statewide Direct Primary Election to “Go Green — Vote by Mail!” He noted that with the price of gasoline at $4 per gallon and the collective effort to reduce our carbon footprint, a creative way to contribute to the greater good is simply to use a postage stamp to vote. “Let the United States Postal Service do the driving;” Slocum said, “they are already delivering mail to the Elections Office. Just use their services.” Slocum added, “Voting by mail is easy, safe, convenient and secure. That’s why 43% of the voters vote by mail!”

To vote by mail in the June 3 Primary, voters must ensure that their mail, fax or online request to vote by mail is received by the Elections Office no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27. After that date, all requests will have to be made in person at the Elections Office. Postmarks are not acceptable; this deadline ensures postal delivery of ballots to voters in time for Election Day.

Requests to vote by mail can be made on a one-time basis or a permanent basis for this and all subsequent elections. An original signature is the requirement to activate permanent vote by mail status.

To apply for a Vote by Mail ballot, voters may:
· Use the online form at http://www.shapethefuture.org/apps/vabr/default.asp; (This is a
  completely eco-friendly feature offered by the San Mateo County Elections Office.)
· Mail or fax the form on the back cover of their Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information
  Pamphlet;
· Download, print, and mail or fax a completed PDF form found online at
  http://www.shapethefuture.org/absentee/absentee_ballot.asp;
· Mail or fax a written request with their full name, residence address, mailing address (if different
  from the residence address), date of birth, name and date of the election the Vote by Mail ballot
  is for, and signature.

Mail requests should be sent to 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402. Fax requests should be faxed to (650) 312-5348. Vote by Mail ballots must be received by the Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A postmark is not acceptable. If time is running short, ballots can be dropped off on Election Day at the Elections Office or any city hall or polling place in San Mateo County.

Voters who have questions may call the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222, email registrar@smcare.org or visit our Web site at www.shapethefuture.org.

Printer friendly version.