REDWOOD CITY, CA – Warren Slocum, San Mateo County’s Chief Elections Officer took a short break from elections preparations on Friday to remind voters of Tuesday’s absentee ballot deadline. “Voting by mail is wildly popular because it’s so convenient. It guarantees a voter the chance to sit down and mark their ballot at a time in their day when they can. There’s no standing in line, no search for parking, no rushing home earlier to get to the polls before they close on Election Day, they vote when it’s convenient for them.”

The popularity of voting by mail is evidenced by the 125,000 absentee requests for this election. The number of voters who choose to vote absentee has grown exponentially since the 2001 legislation permitted anyone to become a permanent absentee voter. In 2001, the County only had 4,500 absentee voters on the rolls. The new record accounts for 35% of the County’s 357,000 registered voters.

“There’s still time to request an absentee ballot—and it can be done very easily on-line at www.shapethefuture.org," said Slocum. San Mateo County has a very efficient and successful absentee ballot program. “I want to ensure that every voter who wishes to vote by mail has that opportunity,” Slocum continued, “and after the 26th, voters can always vote at the Elections Office prior to Election Day or at the polls on Election Day!”

All mailed or faxed requests must be received (regardless of postmark) by the Elections Office no later than 7 days prior to the election, by 5:00 p.m. on October 26. After that date, registered voters may still request an absentee ballot in person at the Elections Offices at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo or 555 County Center in Redwood City between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Tower Road Office will be open for absentee voting on both Saturday October 23rd and 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Voters may apply for an absentee ballot in several ways: (1) a new online form 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, if different from the residence address; (4) name and date of the election the absentee ballot is for; (5) voter’s date of birth; and (6) the voter's signature. The application or the written request may be faxed to (650) 312-5348 (in lieu of mailing the original).

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, November 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. All active polling places within the County will accept voted San Mateo County absentee ballots until the close of the polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.