Expect a ballot for the March 3 primary in your mailbox this week, even if you’ve never voted by mail before.
The approximately 940,000 mail-in ballots sent out by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV) mark the largest-ever change under the Voter’s Choice Act. It’s all part of an effort to make elections more accessible and manageable.
The Voter’s Choice Act was approved last year by the county Board of Supervisors to give voters more options to turn in their ballots. Unlike in elections past, voters are no longer tied to a specific polling place. Instead, they can either mail in their ballots — postage free — or turn them in at any of the 100-plus voting centers across the county.
Starting February 22, residents can also vote in person at one of 110 locations throughout the county.
Shifting from polling place-specific voting locations to floating locations across the county means, according to the ROV, that voting centers will be more abundantly and expertly staffed, and will be better equipped to handle residents’ questions while they vote.
Voting centers will also stock replacement ballots and provide additional services, including language and accessibility help.
The final day to register to vote for the upcoming primary is February 25. Polls close on March 3 at 8 pm. To register online or to check your status, click here.
