CALIFORNIA HAS MADE IT EASIER THAN EVER TO VOTE. DO IT.

No one is tougher than military veterans, but our resolve and resilience has been put to the test — like everyone’s in California — over the past few months. From a record-breaking fire season to the far-ranging and devastating health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in our state, it’s no wonder that people are ready to hit fast forward and skip ahead to 2021.

But the nearly 2 million vets in the Golden State have one monumental task standing between us and the end of this year: the general election. Even during a pandemic, it’s our duty to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to us and our families.

Casting our ballots for candidates and initiatives that we believe in, who will ensure the needs of veterans are met and who will work to provide the best possible future for our children, has never been more important. Sitting this election out is not an option.

So my message to fellow veterans, to those still serving and to all Californians is don’t wait another day to make a plan to vote. You can vote safely by mail, if you have registered to do so, or by depositing your ballot at a polling site or drop box or vote early in-person to avoid lines on Election Day. No matter how you vote, your vote will be safe, secure and counted.

Ultimately, it’s our most fundamental right as Americans to vote. Here’s how.

As San Diego County continues to see new coronavirus cases every day, the best way to keep our communities and loved ones safe and keep San Diego on the path to recovery is to vote by mail this election.

Voting by mail isn’t new for us in California — we have done it for decades.

But what is different this year is the ability to track your ballot using the secretary of state’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tool.

The same way you would track a package, you can now track your ballot and receive automatic notifications by text, email or voice messaging once you mail it or drop it off at your polling place or drop box. Many of you may have already cast your ballot and begun receiving updates.

If you’re worried that your vote won’t be counted, don’t be. As long as your vote-by-mail ballot is postmarked on Election Day on or before 8 p.m., it can arrive up to 17 days after Nov. 3 and still be counted. California has your back.

And for people who do need to vote in-person or need assistance at the polls, I urge you to vote early so we can keep each other safe and prevent crowds and long lines on Election Day.

County election officials are working tirelessly in the lead up to early voting to ensure that poll workers and voters alike can maintain social distancing and stay healthy at the ballot box.

And for those who would rather not send their ballot by mail or vote in-person, they can deposit their ballot directly in a drop box.

California has made it easier than ever to vote.

There’s no excuse. It’s our duty as Americans to exercise the inalienable right we have all fought for to make our voices heard in November.

Jansen