As everyone receives their mail ballots ahead of the March 5 primary, it’s time to answer all of your voting questions. Here’s a guide for San Diego voters on what to expect from the March 5 primary.
When is Election Day?
Primary day is Tuesday, March 5, but registered California voters can vote by mail anytime before once they have received their mail ballot.
What’s being decided in the primary?
Most of the races on the March ballot are primaries in which voters will decide who will ultimately face off in November. However, Californians will also decide the outcome of a statewide ballot measure, residents of the city of San Diego will vote on a city measure and voters in several San Diego County communities will also determine the outcome of several special elections.
Do I have to be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary?
For the most part, no. But to vote in the presidential primary, maybe.
In California, the primary is nonpartisan. In most races, anybody can vote for any candidates to advance to the November general election. But that doesn’t apply to the presidential primary.
The Republican presidential primary is closed to everybody but registered Republican voters. The Democratic one is not — but if you’re not registered with a political party, you will have to file some extra paperwork in order to vote in it.
If you’re registered as no party preference, earlier this winter you should have received, and returned, a pre-paid return postcard requesting your choice of crossover ballot. If you didn’t, you were mailed a nonpartisan ballot that does not include the presidential primary.
Want to vote in the presidential primary, but didn’t get or return the postcard in time? You can still complete the nonpartisan crossover party ballot request form at sdvote.com or in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the county election office at 5600 Overland Ave. in Kearny Mesa.
OK, so how do I vote?
If you’re registered to vote in California, you should have received a ballot in the mail in early- to mid-February. If you did, you have several options for how to return it.
Ballot drop boxes opened Feb. 6, so voters can start voting and returning these ballots as soon as they are received.
All California mail ballots include a return envelope with prepaid postage. Ballots will be counted as long as they are postmarked on or before March 5 and received by election officials within one week of Election Day.
In San Diego County, you also have the option to vote in person during the 10 days leading up to Election Day. Visit CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov or call (800) 345-VOTE (8683) to learn more.
On Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I’m not registered, or I’m not sure if I’m registered. How do I register to vote, or how do I check to see if I am registered to vote?
If you’re registered to vote in California, you should have received a ballot by mail.
If you didn’t and want to find out if you are currently registered, visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. You can also contact the San Diego County Registrar of Voters at (858) 565-5800 or (800) 696-013, as well as the California Secretary of State at elections@sos.ca.gov or (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
If you have changed your residence or mailing address, your name or your political party choice, you will need to update your registration.
You can register to vote online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov or in person at any Department of Motor Vehicles office or the county elections office, along with many post offices, libraries and government offices.
For more information on voter registration, visit sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions.
What is the deadline to register to vote?
The last day to register to vote online is Tuesday, Feb. 20.
What if I miss the registration deadline?
If you miss the deadline, you can still conditionally register to vote in person at a voting center and cast a provisional ballot there. Your provisional ballot will be counted once a county elections official verifies your voter registration.
How do I vote by mail?
After you have filled out your mail ballot with your choices, place it in the return envelope, seal the envelope and sign on the designated line.
Make sure your signature looks like the one you used when you registered to vote. If you registered to vote at the DMV or online, the signature will be the one on your driver’s license or state ID.
Then, put your ballot into a mailbox or secure drop box, or deliver it to a voting center or county elections office.
I’d rather vote in person. Where can I vote in person?
In-person voting options will be available at various locations across the county. You can find the one nearest you by using the county’s interactive map or consulting its list.
You can also visit the California secretary of state’s website at vote.ca.gov, call the toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or text “vote” to GOVOTE (468683).
What should I bring with me?
If you filled out your mail ballot, you should take that to the voting center.
Most of the time, on Election Day you are not required to show identification at the polling place, unless:
- You are voting for the first time in a federal election, and you registered by mail.
- You did not provide your driver’s license number, state ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on the registration card when registering by mail.
What if I am not on the list of voters at my polling place?
If your name is not on the list of registered voters at your polling place, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot.
If voters are eligible to vote and vote provisionally, their ballots will be counted.
What happens to my ballot after I vote?
You can sign up to track your ballot at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov and receive updates on the status of your ballot by text message (SMS), email or voice call.
Mail ballots must be processed and authenticated before they can be counted.
After the information is confirmed, ballots are counted.
How do I vote if I speak a language other than English?
San Diego County elections officials offer reference ballots in several languages other than English: Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Persian and Somali. Here is more information on available language assistance.
I’m homeless, or I don’t have a permanent address. Can I still vote?
Yes. Under California law, you can vote even if you don’t have a permanent address.
You will need to register using the location where you spend most of your time — even cross streets — so that election officials can assign you to the proper voting precinct, and you will need an address at which you can receive mail. Here’s more information.
Can I still vote if I didn’t get a ballot? Can I still vote if I lost my mail ballot?
Yes, you can either vote in person or request a replacement.
If you failed to receive your ballot in the mail or if you have lost or destroyed your original mail ballot, you may apply in writing for a replacement at the county election office, located at 5600 Overland Ave.
When will the election results be available?
Election results will begin to be available after the polls close at 8 p.m. on March 5. The San Diego Union-Tribune will track election results live. Sign up for our email alerts to get the latest updates on election news.
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Election results will continue to be updated throughout election night as votes are counted, and the results will continue to be updated in the following days as more ballots are processed.
The official certified results of the election will be posted by April 4.
