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

Alternate:
David Tom, Elections Manager
Phone: (650) 312-5222 E-mail: dtom@smcare.org

Chief Elections Officer Gives Voters Practical Election Day Advice
A few minutes of preparation will make for a smoother voting experience

Redwood City, CA – San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum is encouraging voters to do four things before heading to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the Special Congressional Open Primary Election:

1.   Verify their voter registration,
2.   Confirm their polling place address,
3.   Make sure they know how to vote,
4.   Bring identification if they are a first-time voter.

“We want voters to be proactive,” Slocum said. “If voters take a few minutes to verify their information and learn how to cast a ballot, polling place operations will run more smoothly and voters will be well served.”

Verify voter registration
Voters should make sure they are registered to vote before heading to the polls. Voters can verify their registration status at www.shapethefuture.org/voters/voter_status.asp by entering the number of their residence address, their zip code, and their birth date. They can also verify their status by calling (650) 312-5222 or emailing registrar@smcare.org.

Confirm polling place address
In order to meet accessibility requirements, as well as power and space requirements for our eSlate electronic voting machines, more than 60 polling locations were changed before the Nov. 2007 election and if a voter hasn’t voted since then, they could be in for a surprise. Voters should double-check their polling place location before heading out to vote. There are three ways to check:

• The back cover of the Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet mailed to voters
• The “Find My Ballot” feature on the home page of Smart Voter, the Web site of the League of Women Voters, at www.smartvoter.org
• Follow the online voter registration verification steps above at www.shapethefuture.org/voters/voter_status.asp. Polling place information is also displayed when registration is verified. Voters who cannot locate their polling place on Election Day can get live assistance from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling (650) 312-5222.

Know how to vote
On Election Day, voters can choose to vote on an electronic eSlate or a paper ballot.

“This is a perfect opportunity for voters who have never voted on the eSlate voting system to do so!” said Slocum. “With only one contest on the ballot in the Special Congressional Open Primary Election, it takes very little time to vote. Voters who haven’t tried the system as yet, will discover just how easy it is to use but shouldn’t hesitate asking for help if they need it,” Slocum said. “Our poll workers are more than happy to help!”

Voters who choose to vote on the eSlate voting system can find instructions in their Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet or on our eSlate Learning Center at www.shapethefuture.org/eslate/index.html. Instruction cards will also be available at the polls, and poll workers can provide additional assistance. eSlate voters are asked to remember to verify their vote by comparing their printed paper record with their onscreen summary.

Bring identification IF you are a first-time voter
In accordance with California law, first-time voters will be required to show identification at their polling place on Election Day. There are 30 acceptable forms of identification, which include a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, a student ID, a government-issued check or a utility bill that shows a voter’s name and address.

For additional assistance, voters may go to www.shapethefuture.org, call (650) 312-5222, email registrar@smcare.org or visit our office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo or 555 County Center in Redwood City.

Remember – Special Open Primaries are different
An “Open” Primary means that all qualified candidates from officially recognized parties will appear on one ballot at the April 8 primary.  Voters may choose one candidate from the five candidates who have filed to run for this office.

If one of the candidates in the April 8 Open Primary Election receives a majority of the votes cast, no further election will be held. In that case, the winner will be deemed elected.

If no candidate receives a majority in the April 8 Open Primary Election, then those candidates receiving the highest number of votes from each of the qualified political parties will be listed on the ballot for the June 3, 2008 Statewide Direct Primary Election. There are provisions for write-in and independent candidates as well.

The winner of the special election will ONLY fulfill the remainder of the unexpired term of office, ending on January 3, 2009.