CALIFORNIA: Make A Plan To Vote!
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We are quickly approaching the most important election of our lives, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. So, how do we get ready?
We make a plan to vote.
This article provides a handy checklist for Californians, to help you think of everything you need to vote. I’ve also written another article for the rest of the country, in case you have friends in other states who need help too.
Please read and share!
MAKE SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED
Republicans are kicking people off polls, for supposedly being “inactive,” having “duplicate” names, and a myriad of other reasons. Also, many people have moved or are living with homelessness because of Covid-19. (And yes, you can still vote, even if you don’t have a home. For example, you can use a homeless shelter as your mailing address. For more information, read this.)
Check your voter registration here: www.registertovote.ca.gov.
What is the deadline to register?
In California, you must register 15 days before the election (by Oct. 19). However, if you miss this deadline, our state allows Same Day Voter Registration, also known as Conditional Voter Registration. This means you can both register and vote at your polling place or county elections office, during the 14 days up to and including Election Day (Nov. 3). However, your ballot is considered “conditional,” because it won’t be counted until the county elections office has completed your voter registration verification process. For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg. Or you can call California’s toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683).
These articles are also great resources and heavily cited throughout this piece: “The Best Way to Vote in Every State” (Slate), “How To Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted in November” (Washington Post) and “How To Vote By Mail in California” (New York Times). For more information, go to www.vote.org.
Do you know what to vote for?
Don’t forget to research the candidates and issues. I have a voting guide here: “How to Vote in California on November 3 and Save Our Democracy.” You can also find lots of useful information at Voters Edge, Vote 411, and Ballotpedia. If you are voting in person, we recommend that you print out your choices (make a “cheat sheet”) and bring it with you to your polling place. This way you won’t forget anything. Don’t wait until the last minute. Do this now!
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO VOTE
We’re very lucky, in California, because our ballots are automatically mailed to all active, registered voters. Still, there are some things you should know…
HOW TO VOTE-BY-MAIL
First, is this different from absentee voting? Not really. It’s just that Republicans have been sowing confusion about the different terminology. As the Washington Post explains, “Some states prefer one term over the other, but both “absentee voting” and “mail-in voting” refer to the method of using the mail to deliver ballots to voters.” In other words, they are both ways to “vote-by-mail.” And that’s all you really need to know. But for more information, you can read these articles: “What’s the difference between absentee and mail-in voting? (Washington Post), “The Most Important Mail You’ll Ever Send” (NPR) and “What To Know About Voting By Mail In Southern California” (LAist).
Things to consider:
Do you need a reason to Vote-By-Mail?
Not in California! We live in one of eleven states where ballots are automatically mailed to all active, registered voters (the other states are Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.). The rest of the country isn’t as lucky. For more information about their rules, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules. For more information about why our state votes like this, you can read these articles: “How To Vote By Mail in California” (New York Times) and “California’s (Mostly) All-Mail 2020 Election, Explained” (CalMatters).
Do you need to apply to Vote-By-Mail?
Not in California! Again, our ballots are automatically mailed to all active, registered voters. But make sure you’re registered. Don’t wait until the last minute. Check your registration here: www.registertovote.ca.gov.
When do you get your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
In California, ballots are automatically mailed by Oct. 5. If you have not received yours by Oct. 16, you can contact your County Elections Office and request a new one. It is also a really good idea to sign up to track your ballot: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot.
What is the deadline to return your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
In California, you have until 8pm on Election Day (November 3, 2020) to return your ballot in person. If you mail it, you just need to make sure it is postmarked on or before that day. For more information, go here: www.cavotes.org/voting-mail.
When is the earliest you can return your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
In California, you can return it as soon as you get it and put the envelope back in the mail. But many people are choosing to return their ballots in person, to avoid mail delays. You can deliver your ballot to your county elections office, or (once early voting begins) to your polling place or vote center. In most counties, early voting begins Oct. 5, but you can check yours here: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
What are the rules for sealing your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
In California, all you need to do is place your ballot inside the envelope provided, seal it, and sign the outside. You don’t need a stamp. For more information, you can watch this video: “2020 Election — Returning Completed Vote By Mail Ballot” (CalfiforniaSOS)
Does your state require you to notarize your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
Not in California! But there are a few states that do require this (like Missouri and North Carolina).
Do you live somewhere with readily available mail boxes?
Vote-by-mail usually means you return your ballot by mail. But in some places, they’ve been removing public mailboxes, so make sure yours are still available. There have also been slowdowns to USPS mail service, which could affect whether or not your ballot arrives on time. So, if you must use the mail, do it ASAP. Don’t wait until the last minute. For more information, go here.
Do you live somewhere with readily available ballot boxes?
Many people prefer ballot boxes, because they don’t rely on the mail. A ballot (or dop box) is a place “where voters can deposit their absentee ballots to be collected later by election officials.” (NPR) For more information, go here. To find your nearest ballot box, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voters-choice-act/vca-voting-locations.
Can you return your ballot in person?
Yes, in California, you can return your ballot in person to your polling place, vote center, or county elections office as soon as early voting begins (in most counties, that’s Oct. 5) and up to and including Election Day (Nov. 3). We strongly recommend doing this, to guarantee that your ballot arrives on time. For more information, go here: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
Can someone return your ballot for you?
Yes, in California, you can designate anyone you want to return your ballot for you. This can be a friend, neighbor, relative, or even a volunteer group or organization. As long as no one pays for this service, and the person delivering it remembers to sign the envelope, it is perfectly legal. For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions.
Can you track your ballot?
Yes, in California, we strongly encourage you to use this free, convenient service. For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot.
When is your vote counted?
In California, ballots are counted as soon as they are received, and will continue to be counted after Election Day, for an additional 17 days (Nov. 20). For more information, go here: www.laist.com/2020/08/27/california-vote-by-mail-explained-how-to-november-2020-election.php.
What if your ballot wasn’t counted?
According to LAist, “In California you have a chance to ‘cure’ your ballot if it’s flagged for a signature mismatch. That means your county registrar has to alert you to the problem.” So make sure to pay attention to those alerts, and immediately respond if you get one. For more information, go here: www.laist.com/2020/08/27/california-vote-by-mail-explained-how-to-november-2020-election.php.
HOW TO VOTE IN PERSON
If you are unable or prefer not to vote by mail, here are some things to consider:
Is early voting an option?
Yes, in California, you can vote early at your county elections office, and in most counties, at your polling place or vote center, starting Oct. 5. For more information, go here: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov. Or you can call their toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683).
Where is your polling place?
Chances are that it’s changed, because of Covid-19 and other reasons. Find out now where it is. Don’t wait until the last minute. In Los Angeles, you can use any vote center you want. So choose the one that’s most convenient. To find your polling place or vote center, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place.
How do you get to your polling place?
Look up the directions to drive, take the bus, walk, or however else you plan to get there. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make a plan now.
Can you take time off work to vote?
Yes, in California, you are legally allowed to take up to two hours off from work, in order to vote. For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2018-news-releases-and-advisories/california-law-allows-time-vote-election-day.
Can you stay in line for a long time?
Hopefully, this won’t be necessary, but just in case, allow yourself plenty of time to vote. Do not schedule any non-essential doctor’s appointments, or anything else that day. Remember to arrange childcare and petcare, if necessary. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water and snacks. Locate the nearest restrooms. And if possible, find a voting buddy, so that you can save each other’s place in line.
Do you need voter ID?
No, if you’ve voted in California before, you don’t need to show your ID.
But, according to the Secretary of State’s website, “If you are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide your driver license number, California identification number or the last four digits of your social security number on your registration form, you may be asked to show a form of identification when you go to the polls.” For more information, you can call their toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683) or go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/what-bring.
Do you have a mask to wear when you vote?
Make sure to get one beforehand. If you want to help support Field Team 6’s voter registration efforts, you can buy one of their masks here.
Can you doublecheck your ballot?
Voters have reported that certain electronic voting machines sometimes record the wrong votes, which means you may have to go back and change them. And sometimes voters make innocent mistakes, when their finger slips. Either way, it’s important to always doublecheck that your votes are properly recorded, before you submit your ballot.
Do you need a provisional ballot?
If you’re having problems voting at your polling place, you can ask for one of these: “A provisional ballot is used when a voter’s eligibility cannot be confirmed at the polls. Often this occurs due to out-of-precinct voting, if the voter has not updated their address on their voter registration or more often if the voter cannot provide sufficient identification. The laws governing the use of provisional ballots vary by state. Most of the time these ballots will not be counted until the voter can be verified, a process that happens after election day and usually only affects an extremely close or tied election.” (HeadCount) For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/provisional-voting.
Do you need help voting?
Call California’s toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683).
Are you being prevented from voting?
You can report problems and get assistance from trained volunteers at these Election Protection Hotlines. For more information, go here.
(English): 1–866-OUR-VOTE (1–866–687–8683);
Spanish/English: 1–888-VE-Y-VOTA (1–888–839–8682);
Asian Languages/English: 1–888-API-VOTE (1–888–274–8683);
Arabic/English: 1–844-YallaUS (1–844–925–5287)
HELP OTHERS VOTE
Can you volunteer to be a pollworker?
This is essential work that is seriously understaffed this year. To volunteer go to Power The Polls or Poll Hero. For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/poll-worker-information.
Can you volunteer to register voters?
There are many amazing organizations doing this work, like SwingLeft, Field Team 6, HeadCount, League of Women Voters, and Voto Latino.
Can you volunteer to protect voter’s rights?
There are many wonderful organizations doing this work, like Fair Fight, VoteRiders, and Spread The Vote. For more information, go here.
Can you volunteer for or donate money to a campaign?
There are many fantastic candidates to support this year, from your local School Board all the way to the White House. But if you can only support one, please help us flip the Senate. To find key Senate campaigns that could use your support, go here.
Can you phonebank or textbank to help Get Out The Vote?
There are many excellent organizations doing this work, like SwingLeft, Sister District, Indivisible and Reclaim Our Vote.
Can you send postcards to help Get Out The Vote?
There are some great organizations doing this work, like Postcards to Voters, Postcards for America and Reclaim Our Vote.
Can you find someone to help vote?
Pick one person — or two, three, or more! — and help them check their voter registration, locate their vote-by-mail ballot, get to the polls, etc.
Can you do community ballot collection?
Yes, in California, anyone — including friends, neighbors, relatives, volunteer groups and organizations — can collect ballots. As long as no one pays for this service, and the person delivering it remembers to sign the envelope, it is perfectly legal. For more information, go here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions.
Can you share this article with your friends and family?
Make sure everyone in California is informed, and ready to vote by Tuesday, November 3, 2020. We need to win this election to save our democracy.
It’s all hands on deck!
