Voters can return their ballots by mail, by using one of 29 official ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, in person to the Elections Office now through 8 p.m. Photo designed by Magnific

ROCKLIN, CA (MPG) - The Placer County Elections Office would like to remind voters that the voting period for the Nov 3 General Election has officially begun.

As per California law, vote-by-mail ballots for all active, eligible voters in Placer County were mailed by Oct. 5. Voters who have not already received their voting materials are encouraged to contact the Elections Office as soon as possible.

Voters can return their ballots by mail, by using one of 29 official ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, in person to the Elections Office now through 8 p.m. Election Day or to any open vote center starting Oct. 24 (official Placer County ballot drop boxes opened for voter use Oct. 3).

The Elections Office encourages voters to consider using “Sign, Scan & Go!” to cast their ballots for the general election, available now, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Elections Office at 3715 Atherton Road in Rocklin. This voting option allows voters to check in with election staff and use a ballot scanner to have their voted vote-by-mail ballot counted immediately as they watch, ensuring their votes are included in the preliminary election results released on election night.

Voters may also use “Sign, Scan and GO!” at any open vote center during the in-person voting period, Oct. 24-Nov. 3. Vote center locations and their days and hours of operation can be found in the Placer County Voter Information Guide and on the Elections website at https://www.placercountyelections.gov/vote-center-locations/.

The Elections Office would like to remind voters that if they have recently interacted with the DMV, their voter registration information may have been inadvertently changed. It is important that they confirm their voter status, address and all other pertinent information to make sure they are registered correctly. Voters can check their registration information at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/.

For new Placer County residents or those who have not yet registered to vote, the last day to register and receive their voting materials for the Nov. 3, General Election by mail is Oct. 19. Registration forms may be picked up at the Elections Office or any Department of Motor Vehicles, post office or library in Placer County. Voter registration may also be accessed online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Voters who return completed registration forms by mail or in person to the Elections Office by midnight Oct. 19 can still receive their voting materials by mail. However, California voters who miss this deadline can come to the Elections Office starting Oct. 20 or to any vote center in Placer County starting Oct. 24 and through Election Day to conditionally register to vote and cast a ballot the same day. The voter’s election eligibility will be thoroughly assessed before any Conditional Voter Registration ballot is counted.

All eligible voters can vote in person at any one of 30 vote centers in Placer County. Seven of these vote centers will be open for 11 days of in-person voting starting Oct. 24, while the remaining 23 locations will be open for four days, starting Oct. 31. Daily hours of operation for all locations are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Election Day (Nov. 3), when they’ll be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters who still have their ballots seven (7) days before the election are highly encouraged to return them via a drop box or in person to the Elections Office or a vote center, as ballots mailed within the last week before the election will likely arrive too late to be counted.

The Elections Office is located at 3715 Atherton Road in Rocklin. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election Day (Nov. 3) hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Elections Office will also be open the two weekends prior to the Nov. 3General Election on Oct. 24 and 25 and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Voters are encouraged to visit the Elections Office in person or call 530-886-5650 (toll-free 1-800-824-8683) with any questions regarding the upcoming election. Elections staff are available to answer questions, assist with voter registrations and issue replacement vote-by-mail ballots over the counter. Additionally, voters can the Placer County Elections website at https://www.placercountyelections.gov/current-elections/ to find vote center and drop box locations, their ballot status, election results and much more.