Redwood City CA - San Mateo County's Chief Elections Officer, Warren Slocum, announced today that his office is in full readiness for voter registration and absentee balloting operations for the upcoming March 2 nd Election. Absentee voting will begin next week, Monday, February 2, 2004 and applications to vote by mail will continue to be accepted through Tuesday, February 24. Voter registration for the Primary Election will close on Tuesday, February 17.

"We urge all eligible persons to exercise the right to vote and shape the future of our nation. The Elections Office is here to help you do just that," said Slocum.

In an effort to facilitate voter registration and absentee voting, Slocum has set special hours that his offices will remain opened to the public. On Tuesday, February 17, both the main Elections Office located at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo , and the main office of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder located on the First Floor of 555 County Center in Redwood City will be open until 8:00 p.m. to receive affidavits of registration. T he Tower Road Office will be open for absentee voting on both Saturday February 21 and 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To be eligible to register to vote, a person must be: (1) a United States citizen; and (2) a California resident; and (3) at least 18 years of age on or before Election Day; and (4) not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony. A new registration is required if the registered voter has changed personal name or residence address since last registering, or wishes to change their political party affiliation for primary voting.

Absentee voting begins 29 days prior to the Primary Election, Monday, February 2 at the Tower Road Office, as well as the County Center Office. Business hours at both locations will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. , Monday through Friday.

Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must file an application form or a written request for an absentee ballot. Beginning February 2, the application is available in several ways: (1) a new online form now on the Elections website, www.shapethefuture.org; (2) by calling the Elections Office at 650-312-5222 for an application to be sent; or (3) on the back cover of the Sample Ballot Pamphlet mailed to all registered voters. The voter may also send a written request for an absentee ballot to the County Elections Office at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402, stating: (1) voter's full name; (2) voter's residence address; (3) mailing address for ballot, if different from the residence address; and (4) name and date of the election the absentee ballot is for; (5) the voter's signature. The application or the written request may be faxed to (650) 312-5348 (in lieu of mailing the original).

All mailed or faxed requests must be received (regardless of postmark) by the Elections Office no later than 7 days prior to the election, or 5:00 p.m. on February 24. Voted absentee ballots will be accepted at both Elections Office sites through the close of the polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, March 2. Voters may also drop off their voted absentee ballot at any of the 20 City Halls within San Mateo County . Voters may want to check with their City Clerk as to office hours.