Registrar shares reminders as Election Day approaches

Election Day is fast approaching and the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we are voting in the November election.

Ballots will automatically be mailed starting Oct. 5 to all active registered voters. These reminders will help keep the process moving along smoothly for everyone:

• Those who are eligible and not registered to vote should do so now. The deadline is Oct. 19. After that, those eligible must come to the Elections Department to register and vote or go to a polling place to register and vote when polls open starting Oct. 31. Votersmay also update their address by re-registering. Register online at registertovote.ca.gov.

• Sign up for ballot tracking service at california.ballottrax. net/voter. Receive automatic email, text or voice call notifications about your ballot status.

• Read the county voter information guide to learn more about changes. Voters have started receiving the guides, which were mailed Sept. 24-25.

• For the safest way to vote, use the vote-by-mail ballot and send the voted ballot back as early as possible via postagepaid U.S. mail, or use one of the secure drop boxes throughout the county. Ballot envelopes must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 or dropped at a polling place or drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The list of drop boxes is printed in the voter information guide, will be included in the ballot packet along with a postage-paid return envelope and is posted at MarinVotes.org. Voters may allow someone they know and trust to return the ballot by completing the form on the back of the return envelope.

• Be sure to sign the ballot return envelope to avoid processing delays. Voters will receive a letter if their signature is missing or does notmatch. That delays processing ballots and extends the time it takes to certify an election.

• Voters may call 415- 473-6456 if their ballot packet does not arrive by Oct. 15 or may visit the Marin County Elections Department starting Oct. 5 to receive a vote-by-mail ballot early, receive a replacement ballot, register and vote, or vote on an accessible ballot-marking device.

Voting by mail will be the safest way to vote during this pandemic and to avoid lines at polling places.

Remember these important changes about polling places:

• There will be fewer polling places for this election as a result of recent legislation. Voters choosing to vote in person will be assigned to a polling place that might be different from past elections. The assigned polling place is printed on the back cover of the voter information guide or voters may call 415- 473- 6456 to ask about their assigned location.

• Polling places will be open Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 for eight hours each day, and, of course on Nov. 3, Election Day, from7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Voters needing to go to their assigned polling place for a replacement ballot, to register and vote, or to vote on an accessible marking device are advised to go before Election Day to avoid lines. For early voting, find polling place hours at MarinVotes. org.

• Masks and social distancing protocols will be required at all polling places and a limited number of people at any one time will be allowed in the polling place for the safety and protection of poll workers and other voters.

In California, we can process returned ballots before Election Day, which helps us to produce final results faster after Election Day. Signature verification on vote-by-mail ballot envelopes takes time to ensure security and accuracy. Waiting until Election Day to return ballots requires time to count and process ballots and delays certified results.

All voters should make a safe voting plan now so they are prepared when their ballot arrives.

Resources: Marin County Elections Department, 3501

Civic Center Drive, Suite 121,

San Rafael. Regular business hours are weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Election Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Check registration at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov, MarinVotes.org or call 415- 473- 6456. Eligible citizens can register at registertovote.ca.gov, or call 415- 473- 6456 to request a paper form.