Redwood City CA - San Mateo County's Chief Elections Officer, Warren Slocum, announced his Elections Office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo will begin the opening and processing of voted absentee ballots for the March 2 Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, February 24, commencing at approximately 8:30 A.M. Anyone interested in observing this process may contact the Elections Division's Manager, Mr. David Tom , at the number above.

According to state law, the opening and counting process of the returned voted ballots is open to the public and may commence no earlier than 7 days prior to the Election. The results shall not be tallied at any time before the close of polls on Election Day, 8:00 P.M. on March 2.

The processing and counting of absentee ballots turned in, and provisional ballots cast at, the precincts on Election Day are a part of the official canvass, which is open to the public and must commence no later than the Thursday following the election. This process will also take place at the Elections Division's 40 Tower Road and interested observers should call the Elections Manager.

"The canvass of votes is the most important and yet the least understood aspect of an election." Slocum said. For more information on registering to vote, applying for an absentee ballot, becoming a poll worker or about elections in general, visit www.shapethefuture.org or call (650) 312-5222.