Voting began this week for the November 2018 General Election as the Contra Costa Elections Division mailed nearly 400,000 ballots to registered voters.
The ballot includes all local offices including city and school districts, a countywide measure on taxing cannabis sales, statewide propositions, California Governor and other state offices, state Assembly and U.S. Senate.
“Ballots are mailed to those voters who previously requested a Vote-by-Mail ballot and to those living in precincts designated as mail ballot only,” said Joe Canciamilla, County Registrar of Voters. Vote-by-Mail voters account for nearly 70 percent of the county’s 602,000 voters.
Ballots may be returned via US mail, dropped off at the Elections Office located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez, or at the county’s 24/7 drop-off box outside of the County Administration Building at 651 Pine St. in Martinez until 8:00 pm on Election Day. Starting October 15th, voted ballots may also be dropped off at designated drop boxes located throughout the county.
A complete list of drop-off locations is available at https://www.cocovote.us/ballot-drop-off/.
“We encourage voters to vote and return their Vote-by-Mail ballots as early as possible,” Canciamilla said. Registered voters who expect a Vote-by-Mail ballot and have not received it by October 19th should call the Elections Office at (925) 335-7800 to request a replacement ballot.
Any voter who wishes to permanently vote by mail for future elections can return a completed Vote-by-Mail ballot request, which can be found on the back of their Voter Information Guide. They can also call the Elections Office at (925) 335-7800, or visit our website at https://www.cocovote.us/registration-and-voting-options/vote-before-election-day/.
Key upcoming dates:
- October 22: Last day to register to vote for the upcoming election.
- October 30: The last day to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot.
- November 6: Election Day. Polls open at 7:00 am and close at 8:00 pm.
