The following is the updated version of a guide that I made a tradition of sharing with my workplace. I am recording it here in case it can be of use.
Dear friends and colleagues,
- You can vote today through November 8, either by dropping off your ballot at an official drop box or going to a polling place. You can find these at https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/.
- Questions? You can text me at [redacted] (or use the Contact form) to ask any questions, like when and where you can turn in ballots, how to find a voting guide that you vibe with for the more esoteric parts of the ballot, and more.
All registered California voters were sent a vote-by-mail ballot in early October. That means it’s more accurate to say that November 8 is the deadline than it is to call it Election Day. All of October up through November 8 is Election Day!
What follows is some info about how to turn your ballot in, how to vote if you didn’t receive one, and some voter guides that can demystify state and local races.
Perhaps the most important part of all of this: If you have any questions at all, or would like to walk through any part of this with someone, please ask me. If I don’t know, I can find out, and I would be delighted to help!
In addition to the congressional races, your ballot is chock-full of vital state and local races and propositions.
Am I registered to vote?
Check your voter status here: https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/
Can I still register to vote?
Yes! If you are not currently registered to vote, you can still vote by going to a Vote Center or a county election office prior to election day.
Where can I vote?
Enter your address here to find your nearest location.
USPS recommends allowing 14 days for a mailed-in ballot, so after October 25, voting in person or turning in your ballot at an official drop box listed on https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/ is your best bet.
I want to vote early.
An excellent idea! Visit https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/ to find your nearest location. You can vote TODAY, and I suggest it. The earlier the better.
What if it’s after October 25, or I’m concerned about the mail?
Drop your ballot off in person! Find your nearest location at https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/.
What if I’m having a hard time getting to a ballot drop box, or someone I know is?
On the back of the ballot’s return envelope, a voter can legally authorize someone else to return their ballot for them.
How do I know where my ballot is and whether it’s been counted?
Visit WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to sign up for updates!
Who’s funding what?
Cal-Access and NetFile provide info on who is funding which candidates and ballot measures. These search tools aren’t as user-friendly as I would like. If you have questions, let me know β I will do my best to get to the bottom of it!
As in all parts of life, view marketing campaigns skeptically. The people most able to afford lots of glossy mailers and big billboard ads are rarely the ones who most need change or have the most to lose.
Can I get a helpful voting guide?
I’ve tried to represent a range of views here, including both major political parties, our local paper, and a few smaller groups. Links to the group’s platform/core principles are included where applicable.
- The Los Angeles Times (and info on voting)
- The California Democratic Party (principles)
- The California Republican Party (principles)
- Democratic Socialists of America β Los Angeles (principles)
- The California Libertarian Party (principles)
- The Sierra Club of California (environmental conservation; principles)
If you know of a guide that might be a useful addition, send me a link and I’ll edit this post to add it.
Thank you for reading, and happy voting!
Christina
Christina McClendon 