This information is provided as part of the El Cerrito Library Foundation’s participation in the National Voters Registration Day Program. As of September 16, there are only 47 days before the November 3rd Election Day. It is important that we all be prepared to vote and return our ballots in a timely manner. The purpose of this post is to help make that happen.

Don’t be confused by this postcard from the USPS!

Most El Cerrito Residents received this postcard from the USPS the week of September 7, 2020. Please understand that is was written for general distribution, so some of the information it contains does not match the Vote-By-Mail (VBM) procedures established by the Contra Costa County Elections Office.

More information about Vote By Mail (VBM) voting and Early Voting.

The following specific VBM information for California voters, specifically Contra Costa County voters comes from the Contra Costa County Elections Office https://www.cocovote.us/.

• Requesting a VBM ballot is not necessary in California, as Governor Newsom has directed VBM Ballots be mailed to all registered voters in CA. CCC Elections Division’s mailing date for VBM ballots for the November 3rd election is October 5th.
• No postage is needed returning CA VBM ballots.
• Be sure to follow the instructions that come with your VBM ballot, especially those about signing your ballot envelope before returning it. If you are not a regular VBM voter, it is recommended that you sign your ballot envelope the same way you signed your CA Driver’s License (or CA ID Card) as this is the signature the Elections Office will use to verify your VBM ballot.
• Harold Kelso, California State President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, recommends mailing your VBM ballots no later than October 20th. This would give the USPS sufficient time to get all of the VBM ballots postmarked and delivered by November 3rd.
• All VBM ballots must be postmarked or deposited in a secure ballot drop box no later than 8:00 pm November 3rd. All secure ballot drop boxes will be available 24/7 from October 6 to November 3rd.
• CCC Elections Division will mail Voter Information Guides on September 24th. They will include locations of all secure ballot drop boxes and early voting sites in your local area.
• 16 early voting sites will be open Friday October 30th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday October 31st from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; and Monday November 2nd from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. For El Cerrito voters, early voting will be available at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane.
• Election Day voting hours in California are from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
• If you haven’t received a VBM ballot by Oct. 19th, contact the CCC Elections Office by email at ballots@vote.cccounty.us or phone at 925-336-7800.
• All CCC polling places open for the March 3rd Primary Election will be open for the November 3rd  General Election.
• ALL ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must be received and counted by the CCC Elections Office no later than November 20th. Sign up and track your ballot through the State “WheresMyBallot” program at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter.
• To confirm that your VBM ballot has been issued by, or received at CCC Elections Office, use “My Voting Information” tool at us.

This secure ballot drop box is located on the parking lot side (South side) of the El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. It will be available to receive VBM ballots 24/7 from Tuesday, October 6 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Attention parents of 16 or 17-year-olds whose 18th birthday is November 3, 2020 or earlier!

One More “To be Vote Ready”: If you are 18 or older, you should already be registered. However, if you are 16 or 17 and your 18th birthday is November 3, 2020 or earlier, you can pre-register  now and become  “Vote Ready” for the November 3rd election!

Eligible 16 and 17-year-olds may pre-register by visiting the California Secretary of State website at registertovote.ca.gov and clicking on the “click here to pre-register to vote” button. California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old. California residents 18 and older can also register or check their registration at this site.

Pre-registration does not change the voting age, which is 18. Instead, it allows eligible Californians ages 16 or 17 to complete the online voter registration form providing sufficient time and opportunity to get ready to become “Vote Ready.”

California youth who are 16 or 17 and meet the following criteria are eligible to use this online pre-registration program:

• A United States citizen and a resident of California,
• Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony (for more information on the rights of people who have been incarcerated, please see the Secretary of State’s Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History), and
• Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship).

So, if you meet these criteria, please pre-register today –  then tell all of your 16 and 17-year-old friends that you have become  “Vote Ready” and urge them to do it, too!

More Vote-by-Mail (VBM) Information:

On Monday, August 24^th, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier conducted a Virtual Town Hall discussion on the Postal Service and voting in Contra Costa. He was joined by a panel consisting of Harold Kelso, California State President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Deborah Cooper, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, and Scott Konopasek, Assistant Registrar. Click here to watch the recording.

Here are some highlights of that discussion:

• Kelso recommended mailing your VBM ballots no later that October 20th. This would give the USPS sufficient time to get all of the VBM ballots postmarked and delivered by Nov 3rd.
• Voter Information Guides will be mailed September 24th. It will include locations of all secure ballot drop boxes and early voting sites in your local area.
• All secure ballot drop boxes will be available 24/7 from October 6 to November 3.
• 16 early voting sites will be open October 30 (Fri., Sat., Mon., & Election Day).
• If you haven’t received a ballot by October 19th, contact the CCC Elections Office by email at ballots@vote.cccounty.us or phone at 925-336-7800.
• Although the official last day to request a VBM ballot is October 27, the recommended last day is October 17th to allow for possible delivery problems or resolution of any ballot errors.
• Be sure to sign you VBM ballot with the same signature you signed your driver’s license of CS State ID card
• All VBM ballots must be postmarked or deposited in a secure ballot drop box no later than 8:00 pm November 3rd.
• ALL ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must be received and counted by the CCC Elections office no later than November 20th. Sign up & track your ballot through the State “WheresMyBallot” program at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter.
• To confirm that your ballot has been issued by, or received at CCC Elections Office, use “My Voting Information” tool at contracostacore.us
• All CCC polling places open for the March 3rd Primary Election will be open for the November 3rd General Election.