Get Ready for the November 5, 2024, General Election

As the November 5, 2024, General Election season approaches, it's time to ensure you're prepared to make your voice heard. Whether you're registering to vote for the first time or checking your registration status, now is the perfect time to get organized. September 17th is National Voter Registration Day, so make sure to check out the links below to register or verify registration. The complete voter guide is available online to view and here is a list of democracy related books to check out from the library.

Register or Update Your Registration

• Register to vote: If you haven't yet registered, take a moment to do so.          
  • Preregister to vote: Are you 16 or 17 years old? You can preregister now and be ready to vote when you turn 18.
  • Check your registration status: Confirm that your voter registration details are up to date.
• Track your ballot: Sign up with BallotTrax to get notified when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted.

Important Dates to Remember

• October 7: Vote-by-Mail ballots start being mailed. You can also vote in person at the Elections Department starting this day.
• October 8: Vote-by-Mail Ballot Drop Boxes become available.
• October 21: Deadline to register to vote.
• October 22: Conditional Voter Registration and same-day voting begin at the Elections Department.
• October 26: 11-day Vote Center locations open.
• October 29: Last day to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot by phone. You can still pick up a ballot at any Vote Center in Marin.
• November 2: 4-day Vote Center locations open.
• November 4: 2-day Vote Center locations open.
• November 5: Election Day! All Vote Center locations will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

You can also drop off your ballot at these Drop Box locations.  

If you miss the registration deadline, don’t worry! You can still register and vote on Election Day at any polling place or Vote Center. Visit your assigned location to ensure your ballot includes all contests for which you’re eligible to vote. You can find your voting center in the California Secretary of State Site website.

Resources and Support

• Marin League of Women Voters: A nonpartisan, activist organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. Learn more about their efforts in voter education and advocacy.
• Political Parties:     
  • American Independent Party - National
  • Democratic Party - National California Marin County
  • Green Party - National California Marin County
  • Libertarian Party - National California Marin County
  • Peace and Freedom Party – California
  • Republican Party - National California Marin County

Helpful Links

• Qualified State Wide Propositions - Review the qualified propositions for California.
• Marin County Measures - Get informed about the measures on the ballot.
• Candidates on Ballot - Learn about the candidates running for office.
• Candidates NOT on Ballot - Find out about write-in candidates.
• Military/Overseas Voting - Information for military and overseas voters.
• Citizenship Services - The library offers citizenship services to help you participate fully in the democratic process.

Fact-Checking Resources

• FactCheck.org: Monitors the factual accuracy of statements made by major U.S. political players.
• PolitiFact: Rates the accuracy of claims made in American politics.
• OpenSecrets: Tracks money in U.S. politics and its impact on elections and public policy.
• Snopes: The oldest and largest fact-checking site, investigating urban legends, hoaxes, and more.
• TinEye: A reverse image search engine to verify the origin and authenticity of images.

Prepare now to ensure your vote counts this November! For more details and resources, visit the provided links and stay informed. If you want to learn more about becoming a citizen to participate, the library has citizenship services that can help with that.

Contributed by Dan Oleson-Wheeler

Last updated October 3, 2024