Voting begins today in L.A. County

Hello, Los Angeles County voters! The June 7 primary is upon us, and so are the ballots — millions of them, which you began receiving in recent weeks.

From the Antelope Valley to Pomona to the coast, the county's 5.7 million registered voters this year have a long list of choices ranging from key municipal and county elections to state and federal seats.

At this news organization, we've endeavored to write on the many races local, state and federal on the primary ballot that will affect you over the next two to four years.

In addition to local municipal elections such as city councils and school boards, the June 7 election also includes the elections for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state controller, treasurer, attorney general, insurance commissioner, member of state board of equalization, state superintendent of public instruction, U.S. representative in Congress, state senator and Assembly member, as well as other local candidates.

While we're at it, we thought we'd add a refresher on how to go about voting in what is still a relatively new system built on mail-in ballots and early, inperson vote centers.

So here's the how, the when and the who's running of it all. And we promise to keep adding to the who's running part as the stories come in.

Q When is the primary, and what is it?

A June 7 is an open primary, but voting in it is happening now, because vote-by-mail ballots were sent out to registered voters beginning May 9. In-person voting begins today.

In an open primary — which is what California has — voters choose candidates from a single ballot, where all candidates are listed regardless of party affiliation.

At the state and federal level, the two candidates who get the most votes in each state and federal race

— again, regardless of party affiliation — get a ticket to advance to the general election on Nov. 7.

The open primary took over after voters in 2010 approved Proposition 14, which in an effort to deal with political gridlock, did away with partisan primaries. California stands in contrast to other states, such as Pennsylvania, where there's a separate Democratic and Republican primary.

Before Proposition 14, voters would vote for their preferred candidate in separate primary elections staged by each party.

There is a caveat here for elections below the state and federal level.

At the nonpartisan city and county level, should a candidate get 50% of the vote plus one vote more, they'll win outright and take their seat in December. If no one wins in June, the top two vote-getters will square off in the Nov. 8 general election.

Q

Am I eligible to vote?

A Youcan vote if you are:

• A United States citizen and a resident of California.

• 18 years old or older on Election Day.

• Not currently in state or federal prison.

• Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

The deadline for online registration to vote was Monday. If you received a ballot, you're likely registered, but if you're not sure, check voterstatus.sos. ca.gov/.

To register or re-register, go here: https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

But if you missed the online deadline, you've still got a chance to register at a vote center on the same day you vote: sos.ca.gov/ elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg.

Q How do i vote?

A You've got choices. You can:

• Vote by mail.

• Vote by ballot dropoff.

• Vote in person.

If you're a registered voter, you've likely received your ballot. Now you just fill it out, sign it and mail it. By law, it needs to be postmarked by Election Day. If so, the registrar will process, verify and count the ballot.

Just place your voted ballot card(s) inside the Official Return Envelope, securely seal the Official Return Envelope, sign and date the back of the Official Return Envelope and drop it in the mail. No postage is necessary.

If you'd rather drop it off, after you do those steps — you can drop it off at any of the secured drop boxes throughout the county, or you can drop it off at any vote center throughout the county.

The drop boxes will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, as do the Vote Centers.

You can find a map of countywide drop boxes here: https://locator.lavote.gov/locations/ vbm?culture=en.

Q How do I vote in person?

A In-person voting for the 2022 primary election begins today across Los Angeles, and more vote center locations will open June4, ahead of election day on June 7.

Through June 6, vote centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On June 7, Election Day, they'll be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can not only vote in person here, but you can drop off your ballots, and register.

A map of vote center locations can be found at bit. ly/3z7mfw7.

Q Can I track my vote?

A Yes. The L.A. County registrar has a digital system by which you can receive personalized text messages, emails and automated voice messages on the journey of your vote-bymail ballot to be counted.

You can subscribe to Where's My Ballot. It's a free service to all registered voters. You can subscribe at california.ballottrax.net/voter/.

Also, if you just want to make sure your vote was counted, the registrar has tool to make sure your ballot was counted.

Go here, if you want to check it out: lavote.gov/av_ inquiry.