County Elections Division can help get voters registered

California’s primary election is coming earlier this year, on March 3.

It is important that you check to ensure your voter registration is up to date. The Elections Division of the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office makes it easy to find out. Contra Costa voters can check their registration status by going to cocovote.us and clicking the “My Voting Information” button. The tool is also available by texting “Contra Costa” to 28683 (or “2Vote”).

If you find that you aren’t registered, there are a number of options available to ensure that your voice is heard on primary day. For those who wish to vote by mail, you have until seven days before the election to register to receive a ballot in the mail. Visit registertovote.ca.gov and select “Yes” in the vote-by-mail box. Those who wish to register to vote in person can follow the same registration process but choose “No” in the vote-by-mail box.

Returning your ballot

For voters who choose to vote by mail, there are a number of options for returning a ballot:

First and most simply, drop your ballot in the mail. As long as a ballot is postmarked by election day, it will be counted.

Second, the county Elections Division has been busy installing permanent 24/7 ballot drop-boxes at two locations in District IV: Contra Costa County Office of Education, 77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill; and Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek.

Third, you can drop off a ballot at the city clerk’s office during business hours at any city in the county.

Fourth, early voting locations where you can cast a ballot before election day will also accept completed vote-by-mail ballots 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 27-28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 29 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. March 2 at Antioch Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way; Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza; and Hyatt House, 2611 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill.

Same-day registration

Thanks to a new state law that took effect Jan 1., if you aren’t able to register before the primary, you can participate in same-day registration at your local polling place.

Due to the hard work of our county Elections Division, voting is perhaps the easiest it has ever been. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Elections Division at 925-335-7800.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us