MONDAY IS LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NOV. 8 ELECTION

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 22, 2016 (San Diego) -- If you want to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential general election, you must register by Monday, Oct. 24. Voters may register online until midnight.

If you’re not sure about your registration, check your status online at sdvote.com.

You will need to register if you:

• are not currently registered in San Diego County
• recently moved
• recently changed your name

If you’re not registered or need to change your registration, you’ll find that form at sdvote.com.  

If your signature is confirmed through Department of Motor Vehicles records, it will automatically be sent to the Registrar of Voters office. If your signature is not confirmed, you can print the form, sign it and mail it to the Registrar.

For voters without access to a computer, registration forms are also available at the Registrar’s office, U.S. Postal Service offices, public libraries, City Clerk offices and Department of Motor Vehicles offices. For voters who need language assistance, election materials are also available in Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Registration forms must be postmarked or delivered to the Registrar by Oct. 24. The Registrar of Voters office will be open until 8 p.m. that day. Voters may also register online until midnight.

Early voting is already underway at the Registrar’s office in Kearny Mesa located on the County Operation Center campus at 5600 Overland Ave., San Diego, 92123. Voters can cast their ballots there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Election Day when the voting hours will change to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to reflect the hours at the polls, or between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 5 and Sunday Nov. 6 for weekend voting.

There is still time to apply for a mail ballot if that is more convenient. Registered voters can request a mail ballot until Nov. 1.

“Due to the high number of contests, voters will be receiving a ballot that consists of two cards with candidates and issues on the front and the back. With a mail ballot, you can vote in the comfort of your home,” said Registrar Michael Vu. “Once you’ve voted your mail ballot, send it back right away and we’ll start processing it so it can be counted right when the polls close on Election Day.”

Voters who have already sent in their mail ballots can check online to see if the Registrar of Voters office has received it. Voters who requested a mail ballot and are waiting for it to come in can also check the same site to see when the ballot was issued and when it might be mailed to their homes.

Voters are asked to use a ballpoint pen (not felt tip) to avoid having votes bleed through onto items on the back side of the ballot.

For additional information call (858) 565-5800 or visit sdvote.com.