Redwood City, CA – Warren Slocum, San Mateo County's Chief Elections Officer, announced today that the Elections Office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo will process and count the absentee ballots and provisional ballots collected at the precinct polling places on Election Day, beginning on Wednesday, March 9, 2005.

These ballots are a part of the official canvass, which is open to the public and must commence no later than the Thursday following the election. Any person or organization interested in observing this process may contact the Elections Manager, Mr. David Tom, at (650) 312-5222.

“The canvass of votes is the most important and yet the least understood aspect of an election.” Slocum said. For more information on polling place locations, voter registration, or about elections in general, visit www.shapethefuture.org or call (650) 312-5222.