Top 10 Election Questions to Help California Counties Get Out the Vote!

The November election is less than two weeks away. Because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns, this year’s election will likely look very different from previous elections in many counties. We send our deep appreciation to county election officials working hard to adjust to these new election protocols. With every county in California mailing ballots to every active registered voted in the state, you may have already voted yourself, either by mail or via a drop box. However, for new voters, or those unfamiliar with the new process and pandemic protocols, we’ve developed a list of Top 10 Election Questions that County Officials can share with your community to ensure a safe and secure election.

1. How can you vote in the 2020 Election?

   • Registered voters have many options for the 2020 election. Mail-in ballots were sent to every active registered voter. These ballots can be returned via mail, dropped off in an official ballot collection box, or returned to any polling location, whether it’s an early voting location or a polling place on Election Day. Registered voters can also vote in person, if they so choose. It’s important to note that each registered voter may only vote once, in one of the above mentioned ways, so voters showing up in person should either take their mail ballot with them or be prepared to cast a provisional ballot. (Provisional ballots just mean that the county will check to make sure the voter didn’t return their mail ballot and vote in person before they count it. Only one vote allowed per person!)
   • Same Day Voter Registration, known as Conditional Voter Registration in state law, is a safety net for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election. Once we’re within two weeks of Election Day, voters should visit CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations where they can complete the same say voter registration process. If you need to register on Election Day, use the polling place lookup tool to find your local polling location. If you have additional questions about locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration process, contact your county elections office.

2. Where and when can you vote in person?

   • One or more early voting locations will be available in many counties for at least four days beginning the Saturday before the November 3, 2020, election. Voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance.
   • Visit VoterStatus.SoS.ca.gov to find a Vote Center near you. 
   • Use the polling place lookup tool to find your local polling location.

Celebrated annually during the first week of May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week honors those who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. As direct service providers administering many state and federal programs, California’s counties and their employees play huge roles both in our everyday lives and during emergencies like COIVD-19 when we need services the most.

Property taxes have been in the news as of late as many of those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic worried how to meet the twice-annual deadline, the most recent being April 10.

But of the numerous articles that ran, one important success story was missed. The CSAC Finance Corporation rolled out its Easy Smart Pay property tax payment program in Kings County in time for the April 10^th deadline to allow a one-time online payment option during a time of crisis. 

There’s a noticeable change in Sacramento when the Legislature is in recess. Traffic is lighter, parking is easier and lines at popular lunch spots are shorter. While it’s been more than a month since the end of session and two weeks since the Governor’s bill-signing deadline, CSAC remains hard at work advocating on its key priorities of homelessness, In- Home Supportive Services and wildfires.

CSAC and California Counties have placed a strong emphasis on disaster preparedness, resilience and recovery over the past several years. Some of our most memorable regional meetings, partnerships and even Challenge Awards have spotlighted California’s innovation in preparedness at the individual, community and county levels.

In a state as geographically diverse as California, emergencies can take many forms. Wildfires and earthquakes are often top of mind, but power outages, floods, debris flows, tsunamis and even drought can prompt disaster declarations as well.

As a child, I always looked forward to Fourth of July celebrations. Not only did my family host 200 of our closest friends for a potluck party on our five acre “truck farm” in New York, but my four uncles by marriage provided an extensive fireworks display. While fireworks have been a part of Fourth of July celebrations from the very beginning– more on that later– in many California Counties, the reality of wildfire season means local ordinances, restrictions and adaptations to keep the Fourth festive, safe and wildfire-free.

The CSAC Legislative Conference is around the corner. While a large number of county supervisors and staff have already registered, there’s always room for more. For anyone still on the fence about this year’s event, here are 10 great reasons to click the REGISTER button today.

  10. Springtime in Sacramento is lovely. Stroll Capitol Park, check out some historic homes or local sights.