Citizens exercising their right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. It’s how we choose our leaders at the local, state and federal levels. I encourage you all to participate in this fundamental aspect of civic engagement, but you cannot wait any longer if you plan on voting Nov. 3! Today is the deadline to register for the first time or to update your registration if you have moved since last casting a ballot.
Registering is easy, and can be done online in under two minutes. You can also update your registration at the same site.
Double check your registration
If you’re already registered to vote, take two minutes to double-check your registration online through California’s voter-status website. Anything incorrect can be corrected online.
Track your ballot
The California Secretary of State is also offering a new way for voters to track and receive notifications on the status of their mail-in ballot through the Where’s My Ballot? website.
Cast your ballot
While polls will be open for in-person voting, many people may choose to vote by mail this year. Those ballots can be dropped off at any polling station on Election Day or at designated ballot drop-off locations prior to Election Day. If you are not voting in Santa Cruz County, check your local county for more information.
UC Santa Cruz will again have a polling location on campus at the Merrill Cultural Center. The polling station will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 2-3 for in-person voting and ballot drop-off. There is also an official ballot drop-off box located in front of the Bay Tree Bookstore. The campus is also providing election and voting information online.
Same-day voter registration
Same-day voter registration, known as conditional voter registration in state law, is a safety net for Californians who have missed the deadline to register to vote or to update their voter registration information for an election.
Eligible voters who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process and vote at a county elections office, polling place, or voting center. Their ballots will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the voter-verification process.
Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process.
