Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections

January 4, 2008

Contact:
Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer
Phone: (650) 363-4988 E-mail: wslocum@smcare.org

Aternate:
David Tom
Phone: (650) 312-5222 E-mail: dtom@smcare.org

On Your Mark, Get Set – Vote!
Early Voting for the Feb. 5 Presidential Primary Begins Monday
Mailing of official ballots to Vote by Mail voters also begins

Redwood City, CA – Voters can begin casting ballots Monday in the state’s presidential primary that will officially take place February 5, 2008.

Early voting has become a popular way to cast a ballot in San Mateo County, according to Warren Slocum, the county’s Chief Elections Officer. For voters looking for a fast and easy way to cast their ballot and avoid the rush of Election Day, mail voting is attractive and approximately 138,000 registered voters out of around 350,000 – or 39% – choose this convenient option.

Starting Monday, voters may vote during normal business hours at a Universal Voting Center at either 40 Tower Road in San Mateo or on the first floor of 555 County Center in Redwood City. Both locations will also be open for early voting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. Voters can choose either an electronic or paper ballot.

“There will be no lines and any voter, from any precinct, can come in and vote early,” said San Mateo County Chief Elections Office Warren Slocum. “I encourage everyone to make their vote a priority. Don’t wait until Election Night when you might have to work late, fight traffic and search for parking. We expect voter turnout for the primary – and crowds at the polls – to be high.”

Monday also marks the first day that the Elections Office can begin mailing official Vote by Mail ballots to voters. Check your mailbox in the coming days for yours! If you are not signed up to vote by mail, it is not too late to join the 138,000 people in San Mateo County who already got a head start on Election Day by voting through the mail.

“Voting by mail simplifies your life, as voters can decide when and where they want to vote,” Slocum said. “Vote at work, at the kitchen table, or with a cup of coffee on Saturday morning! Those who vote by mail don’t worry about traffic, who will watch the kids, bad weather or having to work late.”

Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must complete an application. Obtain one online at www.shapethefuture.org or by calling the Elections Office at (650) 312-5222, or simply fill out the form on the back cover of your Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet. Voters may also fax or mail a written request to vote by mail to the Elections Office stating: (1) Voter's full name; (2) voter's San Mateo County residence address; (3) voter’s mailing address for ballot, if different from the residence address; (4) name and date of the election the Vote by Mail ballot is for; (5) and the voter's signature. Requests can be mailed to 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402 or faxed to (650) 312-5348. Requests must be received by the Elections Office no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29. A postmark is not acceptable.

Vote by Mail ballots can be returned in the mail, at your local City Hall in San Mateo County, or if time is running short, to a Universal Voting Center. On Election Day, Vote by Mail ballots can be dropped off at any active polling place in San Mateo County. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

"Voting has never been easier or more convenient,” Slocum said. “Take advantage of these opportunities and make every effort to vote early.”

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