Monday, November 5, 2012

Handy Voting Information

A few bits of handy information for folks who didn't already vote:

Voting In Person

Check your polling location if you don't have your sample ballot handy. Polling locations change, so "I always go to X" might not cut it.
Problem? Cast A Provisional Ballot
If the poll workers can't find you on their list, you can cast a provisional ballot anyway.
If your vote-by-mail ballot never arrived, you can cast a provisional ballot at your polling place.
Your provisional ballot will be counted after local elections officials verifies your registration and that you didn't already vote.
Did the Machine Record Your Vote Accurately? Check It.
Voting machines are required to display your ballot choices on a printed paper record, before you finalize your ballot. Check that carefully.
You can review your county's voting machine instructions online before you go to the polls, so that you aren't trying to learn unfamiliar machinery while voting.
Voter ID: Not Required, Rarely Requested
Most people won't be asked to show identification at the polls.
You may be asked for identification if you are voting for the first time after registering by mail and did not provide your driver license number, California identification number or the last four digits of your social security number on your registration form.
You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if you don't have your identification.
Time Off to Vote
The good news: If you can't vote otherwise, the contract provides for up to 2 hours paid time to vote.
The bad news: You needed to request that 2 working days in advance. But if you're stuck and won't be able to vote if you work your regular hours, it can't hurt to ask your manager anyway.
15.22     An employee who would otherwise be unable to vote outside of his/her regular working hours may be granted up to two (2) hours of work time without loss of pay to vote at a general, direct primary, special, or presidential primary election.
An employee shall be required to request such leave time in writing from the appropriate administrator at least two (2) working days prior to the election.

Voting By Mail

It's a bit late to count on the mail, so turn in your vote-by-mail ballot directly to elections officials:
  • Today, you can return it in person to your county elections office.
  • On Election Day you can take the sealed envelope to any polling place in your county (it doesn't have to be your own precinct), or to your county elections office, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
If you can't return it yourself, the California Secretary of State's office says:
If, because of illness or physical disability, you are unable to return the ballot yourself, you may designate a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or a person residing in the same household to return the ballot to the elections official or the precinct board at any polling place within the jurisdiction.
If you requested a vote-by-mail ballot, and haven't returned it for any reason (never got it, lost track of it, the dog chewed it up), you can cast a provisional ballot at your local polling place.

Links

Voting
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Posted by Editor at 2:28 PM
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