San Rafael, CA – Marin County residents who intend to cast a ballot in the March 5 Presidential Primary Election need to stop and ask themselves an important question: Am I registered? If not, it’s time to take an important clerical step.
Tuesday, February 20, is the last day to register to vote online for this election. After that, a prospective voter must register in person at the Elections Department in San Rafael or one of the 20 other vote centers throughout the county. The opportunity remains open to register and participate in the primary up until 8 PM on Election Day, March 5.
Early voting started February 5 and several official ballot drop boxes were open around the county February 6. All locations of Marin’s vote centers and dates and hours of their operation can be found on marinvotes.org. The Elections Department staff recently mailed an information card to voters with locations of all vote centers and drop boxes. They are also published in the voter information guide that was mailed February 5 to all registered voters.
Walk-in registration for the March 5 primary is underway at the Elections Department in Suite 121 of the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. A note for visitors: The best entry for elections services is via the Civic Center’s middle archway on Judge Haley Drive.
Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts reminds voters that they may go to any vote center in Marin when they need or want in-person services. She also asks voters to keep other key election dates in mind:
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- February 24: Four vote centers will be open. Check online for locations and hours of operation. Additional vote centers open on March 2.
- February 27: The last day the Elections Department can mail a ballot. After this day, voters wishing to vote must get a ballot in person at any vote center.
- March 2: Twenty vote centers will be open through Election Day.
- March 5: Election Day. All 21 vote centers will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Ballot return envelope must be signed and postmarked on or before this day or dropped in an official ballot drop box or at any vote center by 8 PM. Ballot drop boxes and vote centers close precisely at 8 PM.
Voters who have not received a voter guide or ballot by February 14 may contact the Elections Department by calling (415) 473-6456.
A voter unable to return a vote-by-mail ballot may designate someone to return it for them by filling out the short form at the top of the ballot return envelope, signature side. Such ballots must be returned within 72 hours. “I strongly encourage voters to only designate someone they know and trust,” Roberts said.
Roberts also reminds voters to sign their return envelope or the Elections Department cannot process the ballot. Voters will receive a letter if their signature is missing or doesn’t compare with their voter registration form so they can fix the problem. Roberts asks voters to complete and return the letter right away so her staff can process the ballot promptly.
Voters may call (415) 473-6456 with any questions or concerns about voting. Check online for updates, including a notice about the U.S. Senate race.
Follow the Elections Department on Facebook.
This is a County of Marin news release. Visit the Newsroom to view all County news releases.
