The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 presidential election is shaping up to be a nail-biter.
And that’s not all that’s at stake. Will California continue to have two Democrats in the U.S. Senate? Or can a former baseball star be the first Republican to win a statewide race since 2006 and defeat a well-funded Democratic congressman? Voters statewide will decide whether to toughen up drug and theft penalties they loosened at the ballot box a decade ago. They’ll also vote on a minimum wage, rent control, lowering another bond approval threshold and on big bond measures for schools and climate programs.
In the Bay Area, the Oakland mayor and Alameda County district attorney face recall votes. There are hard-fought contests for open seats, including a South Bay congressional district, seats on the San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County governing board, and a host of local school and tax measures to consider.
If you’re just tuning in and newly inspired to cast a ballot this November, here’s what you need to know.
Q Am I registered to vote?
A You can check your voter registration status with the California Secretary of State at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. You’ll need your name, date of birth, and either driver license or Social Security number. If you don’t have those and need help, you may reach out to the Secretary of State’s office by email at elections@sos.ca.gov or by phone at (800) 345-8683. You also can check with your county election office. They can be reached by phone at (510) 272-6973 for Alameda, (925) 335-7800 for Contra Costa, (415) 554-4375 for San Francisco, (650) 312-5222 for San Mateo and (408) 299-8683 for Santa Clara.
Q I’m not registered, so how do I sign up?
A You can register to vote online through the Secretary of State’s office, as well as through your county elections office. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a California resident and not serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction or found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
You’ll be asked to provide your name, date and place of birth, a California driver license or identification card or some other proof of residency, a home and mailing address and contact information. Registrants also will be asked to choose a political party preference — those who don’t may not be able to vote for some parties’ candidates at a primary election for U.S. President, or for a party’s central committee.
Q How long do I have to do this?
A Californians must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day to receive a mail-in ballot. For this year’s presidential election, Oct. 21 will be the last day to register.
Q Can I still vote if I forget to register by then?
A Same day voter registration is available if the registration deadline has passed for an upcoming election. In most California elections you may conditionally register to vote and vote with a provisional ballot at your county elections office, a vote center, or a satellite office designated by your county elections official during the 14 days prior to and including Election Day. Provisional ballots are counted after elections officials confirmed the voter is registered in that county and did not already vote in that election.
Q I just turned 18, am I registered?
A Californians 16 or 17 years old may “pre-register” to vote online through the Secretary of State’s office. Those who do will automatically be registered on their 18th birthday.
Q Did I get registered when I got my California driver license?
A Eligible applicants for a California driver license, identification card or change of address transaction at the Department of Motor Vehicles will automatically be registered to vote unless they choose to opt out of automatic voter registration.
Q OK, I’m registered. How do I cast my ballot?
A If you’re registered before the deadline, a vote-by-mail ballot will be sent to the mailing address you provided. After you mark your choices, put the ballot in the envelope provided, and remember to sign it. You may put it in the mail — no postage required. It must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after that date.
If you’re not sure your mail ballot will arrive in time, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day or your county elections office. Voter’s Choice Act counties, which include Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Marin, Sonoma and Napa, also will have vote centers and ballot collection boxes set up to receive ballots through Election Day. Pay attention to the listed hours and collection times.
Q After I vote, how do I know if my ballot was collected and counted?
A You can track the status of your ballot online through the Secretary of State’s office at california.ballottrax.net/voter/ and sign up for email or text notifications at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov
