By Solomon O. Smith, California Black Media
Voters in California have two major elections coming up this year: the state primary election on June 2, and the midterm election on Nov. 3.
To help make sure eligible state residents understand the voting process, the state has created resources to inform the public.
Shirley N. Weber, California’s Secretary of State and chief elections officer, has created a range of online tools to build confidence in the process.
“We are working to make sure that people can see what we do and so that people know that our voting is safe and secure. And that every registered voter has a right to vote in a safe place,” said Weber in a conference on voting rights.
First Stop, Registration
On the Secretary of State’s website, registertovote.ca.gov, voter registration is a click away. Users can register, check the status of their registration or reregister. Online registrants will need a California driver’s license, the last four digits of their social security number and date of birth.
There is also a pre-registration for California residents 16 to 17 years old, which automatically registers them when they turn 18 years old.
People without access to a computer can use paper forms which can be found at local libraries, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), post offices and even some government buildings. For further help registering Californians can call the Election Division at (916)657-2166, the voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or fill out a help form online.
There is even a step-by-step guide.
In California, the formally incarcerated are also eligible to vote, including those in jail awaiting trial, on probation or under supervision.
“Once you have finished serving your term, your right to vote is restored; however, you must register online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov or by filling out a paper voter registration card,” reads the site.
The deadline for registering to vote by mail or online for the primary elections was May 18, but there is still a way to register. Same-day voter registration, or conditional voter registration, allows those who missed the deadline to receive a provisional ballot to vote on Election Day, June 2 from 7a.m to 8p.m. The same materials for registration are required for provisional registration. The Secretary of States’ website offers a list of county election offices and nearby vote centers.
Registered. Now What?
Filling out the ballot is the next step. Ballots were mailed to all registered California voters on May 4, but if a registered voter has not received a ballot, or needs a new one, they still have the option of provisional registration.
Weber’s office also provides an online guide to voting which includes a voter’s bill of rights, directions on how to get help and other information. The guide has 5 steps to getting the ballot in.
Complete your ballot, make sure it is clearly and completely marked. Seal it inside the ballot return envelope. Sign it.
Make sure you don’t forget to sign the outside of the ballot return envelope to avoid delays in counting. Return it quickly. Do not wait. Turn in the ballot as soon as possible. For this step, the state and county have several solutions like early vote centers which can collect the ballot and ballot drop-off boxes, which are faster than mail. If a person cannot mail or drop off their ballot, a trusted friend or family member can do so, as long as they are not compensated.
U.S. Postal Service delivery timelines may have changed, which may cause ballots to arrive too late to be counted. California Attorney General Rob Bonta addressed this in a joint statement with Weber.
“I want every Californian to have their vote counted, and the best way to make sure that happens is to vote early,” said Bonta. “If you’re mailing it that [Election] day, ask the post office for a postmark. Or better yet, use a secure drop box or vote center ahead of time.”
Track It and Prepare for the Next Vote
The “where’s my ballot” page lets voters see the status of ballots they completed. It can also send notifications to users about where their ballot is in the process.
Although the California Secretary of State’s office provides a wealth of information, it is not the only one informing citizens about voting. Websites like Ballotpedia, or Vote.org also provide guides.
Local activist groups are also doing outreach to help people get through the process. Black Women for Wellness –a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization focused on advancing the health, well-being, and empowerment of Black women and girls — created a free pamphlet which covers how to register and voting in person.
It’s the same process to register for the primary and the November midterm so preparing now is the best way to make sure your vote get counted.
Shelby Stephens, a voter who attended a Black Women for Wellness’ “Protect the Vote” voter education drive says these types of events clear up confusion about the ballot. She intends to share what she learned.
“If it wasn’t important, they wouldn’t try to get rid of it,” said Stephens, “So I would just encourage everyone to vote, go through the process. It could be daunting. It could be a lot of things, but it’s well worth it.”
