“More days, more ways to vote”: the early voting system is already up and running in California just days before the November 5 elections
by Xochitl T. Canela
During the weekly press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services of California, the state’s Deputy Secretary of Communications, Joe Kocurek, indicated that Californians “can now cast their vote freely and safely” in person or by mail.
How do you vote in California?
In California, there are three main methods for voting: by mail, in person on Election Day, and at early voting centers. This allows citizens to choose the option that best suits their needs.
Joe Kocurek shared that people in this state “are no longer limited to voting on a single day” and recommended monitoring the receipt of their ballot at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot, that way “they can verify that it arrived.” The deadline to receive it is November 12.
Voting by mail
Since 2020, the ballot system has been automated so that all registered voters can receive a ballot by mail. This makes voting easier for those who prefer not to go to a voting center. In this option, voters can return their signed ballot by mail, deposit it in secure ballot boxes or take it to a voting center.
Early voting in person
Californians can go to vote early, this practice is carried out from 10 days before Election Day, so they can avoid long waiting lines.
Voting in person on Election Day. If voters choose the traditional form of electoral participation, they can go to their assigned voting center on election day. Regarding this modality, Kocurek assured that citizens will have translation services, in order to receive precise guidance in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese. California, a fundamental piece in the United States
According to the Electoral College, voting in California means 54 electoral votes this 2024 and therefore it is a fundamental piece of American democracy. This is one of the reasons why residents of the state have different alternatives to exercise their right to vote safely and reliably.
Quick guide to voting
Voters can participate easily and quickly by following five simple steps: fill out their ballot, seal it, sign it, return it and follow up on their status. There are three methods for returning mail-in ballots: through an official drop box, by mailing it without the need for stamps, or by delivering it in person to any voting center before November 5 at 8:00 p.m. If you need help you can call the information lines: • (800) 345-VOTE (8683) – English • (800) 232-VOTA (8682) – Spanish / Español • (800) 339-2857 – 中文 / Chinese • (888) 345-2692 – हिन्दी / Hindi • ) 39-2865 – 日本語 / Japanese • (888) 345-4917 – ខ្មែរ / Khmer • (866) 575-1558 – 한국어 / Korean • (800) 339-2957 – Tagalog • (855) 345-3933 – Thai / Thai
- (800) 339-8163 – Vietnamese / Vietnamese
Cast your vote safely and transparently
California has implemented some measures to ensure the security of the electoral process and, most importantly, remember that part of your civic responsibility is to monitor the status of your vote at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov
