Scores more vote centers around San Diego County open Saturday morning as the end of the March primary election approaches. More than 200 will be open through election day on Tuesday.
Beginning today, those vote centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Ballot drop boxes around the county are also open, and ballots can be dropped in the mail through Tuesday as well.
The March primary is San Diego County voters’ opportunity to decide which candidates they’ll ultimately get to choose between in the November general election, as well as to cast their vote in a few contests that will be fully decided on this ballot.
Regardless of political party, any registered voter can vote in nearly all the races on the ballot. But the county Registrar of Voters has asked voters who plan to vote for president to review each political party’s rules.
California‘s nonpartisan, “top two” primary system allows candidates of any party affiliation — outside of the presidential race — to advance to November.
But some races will be decided this month. Among them is a statewide ballot initiative — Proposition 1, a $6 billion bond measure backed by the governor that would fund housing and mental health and substance use treatment for homeless Californians who need it.
Voters will also decide who advances to the general election in various congressional, legislative and local races. And March voters in the city of San Diego will decide whether to let the city auditor hire their own lawyer.
The sooner county election officials receive a voter’s ballot, the sooner it is processed for the first release of election night results.
Eligible residents who wish to vote and missed the deadline to register can still conditionally register and vote in person at a vote center.
Voters returning their ballot by mail should remember to sign and date the ballot envelope to ensure their vote will count. They can track it by signing up for “Where’s My Ballot?” at california.ballottrax.net.
Voters can check their registration status or locate vote centers and ballot drop boxes online at sdvote.com. They can also call (858) 565-5800 or (800) 696-0136 for information.
To learn more about voting, the primary ballot and the many dozens of candidates who appear on it, consult our election guide: sandiegouniontribune.com/2024-primary-guide
