San Benito County 2024 Voter’s Guide

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Ashlyn Manninen. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

Here’s a guide for San Benito County voters with key information on elections and the voting process. It’s separated into three categories: registering to vote, ballot information, and in-person voting. Each category includes general information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Registering to vote—basic information

First, check your registration status here.

How do I register to vote?

Fill out this online application to register to vote. The application is also available in Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.You can also register to vote by completing a paper application, which is available at these locations:

If you’re facing a life-threatening circumstance, you might qualify for confidential voter registration.

Once I fill out the online or paper application, am I automatically registered as a voter?

No. The application needs to be verified by county elections officials, who will mail you a voter notification card if your application has been approved. If more information is needed the County Elections Department will mail you a letter to the address on file. More information is here.

If I didn’t vote in the primary, can I vote in the general election?

Yes.

Do I need to reregister if I didn’t vote in the last election?

No. You only need to reregister if you have changed your address, changed your name, or want to change your political party.

What happens if I miss the voter registration deadline?

The last day to register and receive a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 21. Starting Oct. 22, if you are not a registered voter, you will have to complete a same-day voter registration form and request your ballot in person at the County Elections Office or any vote center location.

What is conditional voter registration?

If you missed the 15-day voter registration deadlines, you can conditionally register to vote and cast a provisional ballot. Do this by visiting either the county elections department or a vote center within the 14-day period before the election. More information is here.

How do I change my political party if I’m already registered?

Reregister to vote

What if I have a disability?

Make a plan for voting, including how to use remote, accessible vote by mail. You can also call the Disability Rights voter hotline at (888) 569-7955.

What if I have changed my name?

You will need to reregister to vote. You can do so here.
Also make sure to update your name with your DMV record. More information is here.

What if I only moved within the state of California?

If you have already updated your address with the Department of Motor Vehicles or U.S. Postal Service, registration will automatically be updated with a new address.

What is the difference between the State Voter Information Guide and the County Voter Information Guide?

The State Voter Information Guide contains information on federal and state candidates, as well as statewide ballot measures.
The County Voter Information Guide contains information on local candidates and local ballot measures. It will include a sample ballot and the location of your polling place.

How do I vote if I’m in the military, temporarily living out of state or abroad?

You will need to complete the online voter register application, and complete a Federal Post Card Application.
You can request that your ballot and Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope be emailed, faxed or mailed to you.
You can either submit your completed ballot to your County Elections Office, or return by mail or fax.
If returning by mail, make sure to do so with more than enough time. If mailing from a ship at sea, return by Oct. 1. If mailing from outside the U.S., return by Oct. 6. If mailing stateside, return by Oct. 25.

What if I don’t have a permanent address?

You are still able to vote without a permanent address. You can either provide the address of your last residence, give the city, zip code, and closest cross streets to where you are residing, or provide a mailing address where you can receive voting materials, such as a P.O. Box. You can always contact the County Elections Office with more questions.

What if I want to cancel my California voter registration?

Complete this form and submit it to your County Elections Office. The form is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.

Is my voter registration information confidential?

Information is not available to the general public. California law allows certain voter information to be released to certain political organizations. More information is here.

Am I able to vote online?

No. California law prohibits the casting of a vote online for security reasons.

Ballot Information

Who gets a ballot in the mail?

Everyone who is an active registered voter in California receives a ballot.

Will my ballot have all six political parties for the primary election?

No. Ballots only contain information for candidates of the party you’re registered to.

When does the county begin distributing the mail-in ballot?

Election offices are required to mail ballots by Oct. 7, which comes with a general information guide.

How do I return my mail-in ballot?

You can mail the ballot to the County Elections Office, drop it off at a ballot drop box or any vote center location. Ballot drop-off locations open on Oct. 8.

When is the last day to return my mail-in ballot?

If you are returning the ballot personally, it must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on election day.
If you are returning the ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before election day, and received by the County Elections Office no more than seven days after election day.

How can I track my ballot?

Track your ballot and receive notifications on when your vote is counted here.

What if I lost or never received my ballot?

You can apply for a second ballot. The application is found here. It’s also available in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.

What if I made a mistake on my ballot?

You can request a new ballot from the County Elections Office, or you can go to the local polling place or voting center and request a new ballot there.

Does the signature on my ballot need to match the one on file?

Yes. If your ballot is missing a signature, or your signature does not match your signature on file, then you will be notified to fix the error.

Does it matter if I put my ballot in a drop box in the wrong county?

No. If dropped in the wrong county, that county will send it within seven days of receiving it to the correct county elections office.

If I didn’t detach the stub from my ballot, what should I do?

Contact the County Elections Office.

What should I do if I receive another person’s ballot?

Do not open it. Write “return to sender” or “not at this address” and return it to the County Elections Office by mail.

If my mail is being forwarded to me, will I still get my ballot?

No. Make sure your county has your new address. Contact the County Elections Office to see where your ballot was mailed, or check your voter status here, which will show which address is on file.

Can I write in a candidate for state offices?

No, unless you become a certified write-in candidate.

In-Person voting

Can I vote in person?

Yes. Voting centers will be available for in-person voting.

Where are the voting centers in San Benito County?

Abundant Life Foursquare Church Open 10 days before election day, as well as election day.
San Benito County Elections Department Open 29 days before election day, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as election day.
St.Benedict Catholic Church Open four days before election day, as well as election day.
San Juan Bautista Community Center Open 4 days before election day, as well as election day.

Where are the drop box locations in our county?

Following are the drop box locations in the county. All drop box locations open on Oct. 8. and will remain open until 8 p.m. on election day.

How do I find my polling place or vote center?

There are multiple ways to find it:

Go to https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/
Text “VOTE” to GOVOTE (468-8683)
Call the Secretary of State’s hotline at (800) 345-VOTE
Check the back of County Voter Information Guide
Contact the County Elections Office

Am I allowed to leave work to vote?

Yes. By law, employers are required to pay up to two hours of time off for voting. More (unpaid) time can be taken if needed. For more information visit.

If you have additional questions or problems with casting your vote, contact the Secretary of State’s toll free voter hotline: (800) 345-VOTE (8683). Or contact the County Elections Office.

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