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 begin the opening and processing of voted ballots for the May 3rd All-Mail Ballot Special Election in the Redwood City School District on Tuesday, April 26th at approximately 8:30 A.M. Any person or organization interested in observing this process may contact the Elections Division Manager, David Tom, at (650) 312-5222.

In accordance with state law, the ballots for an all-mail ballot election are processed in the same manner as absentee ballots in a polling place election. The opening and processing of voted ballots is open to the public and may commence no earlier than 7 days prior to the Election. The results will not be tallied before 8:00 P.M. on Election Day, May 3rd .

The processing and counting of ballots is part of the official canvass, which is open to the public. This canvass is conducted at the Elections Division Office at 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 the all mail-ballot election or about elections in general, visit www.shapethefuture.org or call (650) 312-5222.