County to start mailing election materials

County voter information guide, vote-by-mail ballots are in the mail

Voter information guide and vote-by-mail ballots will be showing up within the first two weeks of October.

Yolo County election materials will be showing up in the mail box of voters within the first two weeks of October.

“We are working diligently on our election processes and are on track for a successful election,” says Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/ Registrar of Voters.

The County Voter Information Guides for the Nov. 3, general election have left the printer and are on their way to the U.S. Post Office distribution center in West Sacramento where they will be processed and mailed to Yolo County voters, Salinas reported.

The information guide includes Ballot Drop Box and Voter Assistance Center locations and days and hours of operation, local candidate statements and measures and other information.

Voters who have “opted out” of receiving a paper version of the information guide may view it on the Yolo County Elections website beginning Oct. 5.

All active registered voters in Yolo County can expect their ballot to arrive in their mailbox by Monday, Oct. 12. If a ballot has not arrived by Oct. 15, people should contact the Yolo County Election Office.

The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 General Election ends Oct. 19. After that, voters may register or re-register and vote using the Conditional Voter Registration process, also known as same day voter registration.

In response to COVID-19 concerns, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order and the Legislature passed emergency legislation that requires every active registered California voter be mailed a Vote-byMail ballot, while also ensuring safe in-person voting options.

Vote-by-Mail ballots

• People do not need to request an absentee/Voteby-Mail ballot — all active registered voters will be mailed a ballot beginning Oct. 5.

• Vote-by-Mail ballots can be filled out and returned in the provided envelope. Voters can return their signed envelopes via the mail, no return postage needed as long as it is postmarked by Nov. 3 (The Elections Office has 17 days after Nov. 3, to receive it and count the ballot); by dropping off at a Ballot Drop Box from Oct. 5 until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3; or by returning to one of the 12 Voter Assistance Centers from Oct. 31, until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

• The Yolo County Elections Office encourages people to return a Vote-by-Mail ballot before Election Day to ensure the quickest election results possible on Election Night.

Voter Assistance Centers

• Yolo County has replaced the traditional neighborhood polling places with 12 Voter Assistance Centers placed strategically throughout the county for the Nov. 3 General Election. Yolo County Voters can visit any VAC in the county to drop off or cast a ballot in person.

• Voter Assistance Centers are open from Saturday, Oct. 31 through Monday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Voters can complete many services at VACs including:

• Drop off completed Vote-by-Mail ballots or receive replacement Vote-by-Mail ballots or envelopes

• Vote a regular ballot or provisionally

• Receive language assistance or accommodations including use of accessible voting machines

• Complete same day voter registration also known as conditional voter registration

Key election dates

Monday, Oct. 5: Mailing of ballots to all registered voters begins, and voted ballots may be returned in any of the Ballot Drop Boxes located countywide. Monday, Oct. 19: Close of voter registration for the Nov. 3 General Election. Voter registration forms must be postmarked by this date or delivered to the Elections Office by 5 p.m. Online voter registration must be completed before midnight on this date at http://www. registertovote.ca.gov/ Tuesday, Oct. 20: Conditional Voter Registration begins. Tuesday, Oct. 27: Last day a vote-by-mail ballot can be requested to be mailed to the voters. After this date, vote-by-mail ballots are only available at the Yolo County Elections Office or a Voter Assistance Center.

Saturday, Oct. 31: Voter Assistance Centers open throughout the county Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day.