Monday is Deadline to Register to Vote

With the Presidential General Election just three weeks away, San Mateo County residents are being reminded that Monday, Oct. 22, is the last day to register to vote.

“New to this year, the legislature with the assistance of the Secretary of State has created an online voter registration program,” San Mateo County’s Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Mark Church said. “Voters may now register online at http://registertovote.ca.gov/.”

The countywide election includes federal, state and local offices as well as statewide propositions and local ballot measures.

“There are many issues on the ballot that will affect a voter’s quality of life, so it is important that eligible voters take the time to register and to vote,” Church said. 

Voters may still register to vote by filling out a voter registration card, but the San Mateo County Elections Division urges individuals to take advantage of online registration.

Eligible Voters will directly input their information online, avoiding human error on the spelling of their name or address. Online voter registration is expected to be more accurate and efficient.   

Voter registration cards are available at the San Mateo County Elections Division, as well as at any public library, city hall, or office of the U.S. Postal Service or Department of Motor Vehicles.

A mailed registration card that is postmarked on or before Oct. 22 will satisfy the deadline.

To be eligible to register to vote, a person must be:

(1) A U.S. Citizen;

(2) At least 18 years old by Election Day;

(3) Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction; and

(4) Not deemed by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and to vote. 

Further, registered voters must re-register whenever they have:

(1) Moved to a new address, or

(2) Changed their name, or

(3) Desire to change political party affiliation.

The website of the San Mateo County Elections Division provides the latest registration statistics, updated weekly: https://www.shapethefuture.org/voterregistration/registrationstats.asp.  The website also contains a link that allows eligible and registered voters to confirm their current registration status.

To do so, go to the home page and click on “Check My Registration/Access My Election Materials/ View My Sample Ballot Pamphlet.” 

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