Redwood City, CA - San Mateo County's Chief Elections Officer, Warren Slocum, announced today that his office is on track for voter registration and absentee balloting operations for the upcoming March 8th elections in the City of San Carlos and the Brisbane School District. Absentee ballots will be mailed starting today, Monday, February 7, 2005 and applications to vote by mail will continue to be accepted through Tuesday, March 1st. Voter registration for the Special Election will close on Tuesday, February 22nd.

"We urge all eligible persons to exercise the right to vote and shape the future of their community." said Slocum. Citizens may obtain voter registration forms at any post office, city hall, public library, or at the elections offices at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo and 555 County Center, 1st Floor, in Redwood City. For more information please call (650) 312-5222 or visit www.shapethefuture.org .

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 form is required if the registered voter has changed their personal name or residence address since last registering, or wishes to change their political party affiliation.

Registered voters may cast their ballot in person at the Elections Office at 40 Tower Road at any time from February 7th through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, March 8th. Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Eligible voters wishing to vote by mail must file an application form or a written request for an absentee ballot. Beginning February 7, the application is available in several ways: (1) an 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 San Mateo County 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 March 1, 2005. Voted absentee ballots will be accepted at both Elections Office sites, 555 County Center, 1st floor, Redwood City or at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, through the close of the polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, March 8, 2005.