Officials Urge Residents To Return Ballots Early In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The June 2 Statewide Direct Primary Election is days away, and the Marin County Elections Department is reminding voters that casting a ballot early helps officials report results faster on election night.

As of Friday, 174,628 ballots had been issued to Marin County voters, but only 28,736 had been returned, according to a new data dashboard on the county's election webpage.

"More people voting early means we can report results more quickly," said Natalie Adona, Marin's Registrar of Voters.

Ballots returned early will be tabulated in time for the first results to post shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with updates every two hours through election night.

Voters should note that this year's ballot is longer than usual — Marin County voters received two ballot cards and must return both together in the provided return envelope. Envelopes must be signed, postmarked by Election Day, and received within seven days to be counted.

Secure drop boxes are available at 18 locations across the county through June 2, and 20 vote centers are open on a staggered schedule. The Elections Department at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Voters can track their mail ballot at WheresMyBallot.com and find additional information at MarinVotes.org or by calling 415-473-6456.

Check out Patch's voter guide for more information.