However, election officials are encouraging voters to vote early (by mail or in-person) in order to avoid crowding at the polls. They argue that crowding at voting locations could prove dangerous for the spread of COVID-19, or cause long lines that have been shown to discourage voting. So it’s helpful to think of November 3 as your last day to vote in this election — rather than necessarily the day you should vote.
If you see information online about the deadline to request a mail-in ballot (Oct. 27), don’t worry. That deadline is for requesting a new mail-in ballot — say, if you’ve made an error filling out the one you were already sent.
2. Everyone should bring their ballot along to vote in person
One big thing to know this year: if you decide you want to vote in person on Election Day itself, you should bring the ballot along with you.
What happens if you arrive at the polls without your ballot? You can still vote in person, but you may be required to vote provisionally. A provisional vote is a vote that’s subject to extra checks (ie. that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot.) This extra layer of confirmation takes time, and therefore means your vote might not be counted on Election Day itself — although it’ll be eventually counted.
Why do you have to bring your ballot with you to the polls? It’s because people who opt to vote by mail-in ballot always have to bring their ballot with them to vote in person, as proof they didn’t already mail it and aren’t therefore voting twice. It’s just that this year, all registered voters in California are getting sent a ballot in the mail — i.e becoming mail-in voter by default, even without requesting it.
3. Your ballot is being given more time to get there
We know folks are already voicing concerns about how changes at the U.S. Postal Service might impact the delivery of completed mail-in ballots. In California, your ballot must be mailed and postmarked on Election Day at the latest, but the deadline for mail-in ballots to be received has been extended to Nov. 20 (from Nov. 6) — to allow your ballot extra time to reach your county elections office. You’ll also be able to drop off your completed ballot by hand at any drop box, polling location or county elections office.
4. Voting in person might look different
You can still absolutely vote in person at the polls despite receiving your mail-in ballot (remember: bring it along), but the voting experience and your polling place may be very different because of the pandemic. Counties have been advised to prepare for lines that maintain social distancing and to have face coverings on hand for voters who don’t have one.
Poll workers will also be provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce their own risk. Some polling places may also be consolidated. More information should be coming as November draws closer.
As for using it, you can postmark your mail-in ballot on Election Day itself, as long as it’s ultimately received by Nov. 20. If you’ve seen stuff online saying you need to make sure your ballot is received by Election Day (and therefore that your “vote-by-mail Election Day is actually in October), that does not apply in California.
That said, the official advice from the California Secretary of State’s Office is: Don’t wait. They’re encouraging voters to see Tuesday, Nov. 3 as their last day to vote, rather than the day they should vote.
If you sign up for the ‘Where’s My Ballot?’ system, you can receive automated notifications via email, text or phone when your county elections offices have mailed out your ballot — and when your completed ballot has been received and processed.
When are the debates?
The first presidential debate is Tuesday, Sept. 29. The second is Thursday, Oct. 15. The third and final presidential debate is Thursday, Oct. 22.
The vice presidential debate is Wednesday, Oct. 7.
How do I stay on top of all these dates and deadlines?
Glad you asked! We’ve got several easy ways to help you stay informed:
Sign up to get texts from KQED, and get a message from us when a crucial voting deadline is looming
Click here to add our election deadline calendar to your Google Calendar, and be notified of pressing dates in September, October and November.
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Just give me the big dates again, in one list?
Sure. The ones which might require action from you are in bold.
Sept. 29: First presidential debate
Oct. 7: Vice presidential debate
Oct. 15: Second presidential debate
Oct. 19: Deadline to register to vote — online or postmark your registration if you’re doing it by mail
Oct. 22: Third and final presidential debate
Oct. 27: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot if you need a new one (if you’re registered to vote, remember, you’ll be receiving one without requesting it)
Nov. 3: Election Day, the day to vote in person and your deadline to postmark your mail-in ballot
Tell us: what else do you want to know?
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