May 29, 2008

A Voter’s “To Do” List
Voter Tool Kit Has Stress Free Answers

Redwood City, CA - San Mateo County’s Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum says his office fields thousands of calls in the days leading up to Election Day. “That volume of incoming inquiries requires the setup of a special phone bank,” explained Slocum.

The burning question on most voters’ minds is -- “Where do I go vote?”

“Don’t wait until Election Day to get answers, do it at your leisure in the few days before the June 3rd Primary Election. It’s easy to get answers .Voters don’t even have to use the phone or call during business hours,” Slocum said.

The official San Mateo County elections website, www.shapethefuture.org, has a section called the Voter Tool Kit on its homepage. Answers to most election questions and what a voter should do before Election day can be found in that section of the website.

For anyone who prefers to call, the telephone number is (650) 312-5222, menu selection #1.

Slocum’s advice to voters is to “be prepared!” He recommends all voters, do the following six things before Election day:

1. Double-check your registration information, including political party affiliation;

2. Voters who have registered as a Decline to State voter should know their cross
over voting rights. If you are registered as a “decline-to-state” or nonpartisan voter, the American Independent, Democratic, and Republican parties are all allowing you to participate in their June 3 primaries. You have a right to request a ballot for any one of those three parties. If you do not, you will be given a nonpartisan ballot that contains ballot propositions and nonpartisan local races, but excludes partisan contests for Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly.

3. Do your homework. Read up on the issues and candidates before voting. Look at the Sample Ballot Pamphlet & Official Voter Information Guide on our website, or go to www.smartvoter.org – the link to the League of Women Voters site is also on the Voter Toolkit.

4. Return your Vote by Mail ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to any active polling place
in San Mateo County or to the Elections Office located at 40 Tower Road in San
Mateo or 555 County Center, 1st Floor in Redwood City (if you haven’t already mailed it).

5. Or Vote Early at either Election Office (listed above). Voting began on May 5 and will continue until 8:00pm on Election Day.

6. Double-check your polling place location. If you don’t know where your polling place is, and even if you do, look it up! Some polling place locations have changed. Information is available at
www.shapethefuture.org.