221 vote centers open across San Diego County for Nov. 3 election

The County of San Diego said 221 vote centers will open starting Saturday, Oct. 31. They will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 2. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, all vote centers, official ballot drop boxes and the Registrar of Voters’ office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Registrar of Voters offers an online map with nearby vote centers and estimated wait times; the Registrar encourages voters to vote early to avoid lines, have more time to cast their ballot and support smooth, efficient ballot processing. Early voting also ensures ballots are included in the first release of election night results.

At any vote center, voters can drop off a mail ballot; vote in person using a ballot marking device or the ballot they received in the mail; register to vote or update registration and cast a ballot on the same day; and receive accessibility assistance and voting materials in multiple languages.

The county said voters who use a ballot marking device will print their completed ballot, review it, place it in a secrecy sleeve and hand it to a poll worker who will deposit it in the ballot box for counting at the Registrar’s office; the device does not store, tabulate or count votes and only assists with marking the ballot.

Every active registered voter has received a ballot by mail, the county said. Ballots may be returned at any official ballot drop box, at any vote center, or by mail with no postage required.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received no later than seven days after Election Day; ballots returned at official drop boxes or vote centers must be dropped by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. After marking the ballot, voters should seal it in the postage-paid return envelope, date and sign the envelope; a signature is required for a ballot to count.

Voters can sign up for ballot tracking to receive notifications when their ballot is mailed, received and counted. Campaigning or electioneering is not allowed within 100 feet of a vote center or official ballot drop box; that includes displaying signs, wearing or showing items, speaking in support of or against any contests on the ballot, and circulating petitions.

For more information, visit sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800 or 800-696-0136, the county said.

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